The CU Franchisee Council, a group of CU convenience store owners, has moved to demand strike damage compensation from the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Division of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). It said a roughly monthlong strike last month disrupted logistics supplies, causing franchisees to not receive ordered goods on time.
The CU Franchisee Council said on the 6th it sent a content-certified letter to the Cargo Truckers Solidarity demanding 14.04 billion won in compensation for damages. The damages the council calculated include 10.28 billion won in property losses from non-supply of goods and 3.76 billion won in emotional damages, calculated at 200,000 won per store. The letter also included demands for measures to prevent a recurrence and a public apology.
The council said that if its demands are not accepted by the 15th, it will file a damages lawsuit and seek criminal liability for various illegal acts that occurred during the strike.
Choi Jong-yeol, head of the CU Franchisee Council, said, "We sent the content-certified letter to proceed with a damages lawsuit now that the franchisee damage amount has been specifically calculated," adding, "We calculated only the amounts with clear proof, and we expect the total to increase further."
The council also sent a separate content-certified letter to BGF Logistics, which handles CU logistics. It asked that a substitute driver be assigned if a franchisee refuses deliveries by a driver affiliated with the Cargo Truckers Solidarity. The council also conveyed that if this request is not accepted, it will consider collective refusal of deliveries and even termination of franchise agreements.
Ha Dong-seon, the council's secretary-general, said, "Franchisees are reporting severe trauma over having the livelihoods of powerless owners and their families taken hostage for others' interests."
Earlier, from the 7th to the 29th last month, the Cargo Truckers Solidarity blockaded major CU logistics centers while demanding better treatment. The strike's impact meant CU franchisees did not receive goods on time, disrupting sales. According to the council, franchisees saw sales losses of about 10% to 30% compared with normal during this period.
On the 30th last month, the Cargo Truckers Solidarity signed a collective agreement with BGF Logistics and ended the strike. The agreement reportedly included a 7% increase in transport fees, an additional paid leave once per quarter, and the withdrawal of an injunction request to ban obstruction of business.
However, because affected franchisees are demanding a responsible response not only from the Cargo Truckers Solidarity but also from headquarters and the logistics subsidiary, follow-up disputes over compensation standards and responsible parties are expected to continue for the time being. In particular, with some stores now moving to refuse deliveries after drivers returned, restoring trust in CU's logistics network has emerged as a task for BGF Retail.
BGF Retail said after the agreement with the Cargo Truckers Solidarity, "We have closely examined the status of damage to the company and franchisees and have listened to voices in the field," adding, "We will prepare support measures for franchisees as soon as possible."