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Photo = Coupang |
[Alpha Biz= Cha Hye Young] Coupang Logistics Service (CLS), the logistics subsidiary of Coupang, was found to have acted unlawfully by blocking delivery drivers from accessing its distribution centers due to union activities, according to a Supreme Court ruling.
On Sunday, the parcel delivery union reported that the Supreme Court's Division 2 (Presiding Justice Oh Kyung-mi) overturned a lower court's decision in favor of CLS and remanded the case to the Seoul High Court. The case was initiated by Song Jeong-hyun, head of the Coupang Ilsan branch of the parcel delivery union, and another member, seeking an injunction against CLS for obstructing their access.
The court stated, "Delivery camps are the primary workplaces for delivery drivers and their only collective labor provision space, making them a potential foundation for union activities. The union has the right to engage in promotional activities as long as it aligns with CLS's facility management rights."
In July of last year, CLS restricted access for Song and others at the Ilsan Camp, claiming that their distribution of union materials and collection of signatures for improved working conditions violated the policy prohibiting non-contracted activities.
As a result, these union members were unable to receive assignments, effectively leaving them without work.
The lower courts had ruled in favor of CLS, citing that the company indirectly employs drivers through regional agencies and therefore has no obligation to guarantee union activities.
However, the Supreme Court countered, stating that CLS's restriction on access, despite no physical force or disruption to operations by the union members, was excessive and made it difficult for them to sustain their livelihoods.
Following the Supreme Court ruling, Coupang has reportedly lifted the access restrictions.
Nonetheless, the reassignment of the affected drivers' delivery zones to other workers during the ban raises uncertainty about their ability to fully resume normal operations.
Alphabiz 차혜영 기자(kay33@alphabiz.co.kr)
