KRCTU Reaches New 5.5% Increase Agreement... Will the Ready-Mixed Concrete Strike End?

Challenges Remain in Union Member Vote

The National Ready-Mixed Concrete Transport Union (NRMCTU) has reached a tentative agreement to raise the transportation fee for ready-mixed concrete in the Seoul metropolitan area by 4,200 won (5.5%) per trip. Although this proposal was previously rejected in a union vote, it appears to have been reconsidered due to the tangible impact of a prolonged strike on industrial sites and growing public pressure.

Yonhap News Agency

According to industry sources on June 14, the NRMCTU and ready-mixed concrete manufacturers reached a tentative agreement at negotiations that began at 2 p.m. that day, agreeing to increase the transportation fee in the Seoul metropolitan area by 4,200 won (5.5%) per trip. Currently, the transportation fee is 75,800 won per trip; if the increase is finalized, the fee will rise to around 80,000 won per trip. The contract period is set from July 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027, lasting approximately eight months.

This agreement is effectively the same as the proposal that was previously rejected in a union vote. On June 10, the NRMCTU held a vote among its members in the Seoul metropolitan area on the same tentative agreement, but 4,931 out of 7,222 participants (68.3%) voted against it, resulting in its rejection.

However, as the strike continued, production disruptions became a reality at major industrial sites, including the SK hynix Yongin semiconductor cluster and Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek Campus. There were also growing concerns that the damage could spread throughout the construction industry. Industry observers believe these developments influenced the union's decision to renegotiate.

An industry official commented, "It appears the union leadership decided to accept the agreement due to mounting public pressure," adding, "Shortening the contract period from one year to eight months is primarily aimed at persuading union members by leaving room for further wage negotiations next year."

The NRMCTU plans to hold another vote among its members as early as June 15 to determine whether to finalize the agreement. However, as the same proposal was rejected by union members just four days ago, there is skepticism about the outcome. In particular, some members reportedly continue to insist that the transportation fee should be raised to the level of the Daejeon region (around 6%).

The NRMCTU began the strike on June 8, demanding an increase in transportation fees for the Seoul metropolitan area and integrated negotiations for 14 union branches in the region. As the prolonged strike heightened concerns about delays at major sites, including semiconductor construction projects, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stepped in to mediate, leading to ongoing labor-management negotiations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.