Sunday parcel delivery services become new normal

Unionized parcel delivery workers hold a press conference in front of Hanjin Logistics headquarters in Seoul, Thursday, to protest the company's plan to provide delivery services seven days a week. Yonhap

Conflict is intensifying in the parcel delivery industry as more companies begin offering services on Sundays and national holidays in an attempt to stop losing customers to Coupang, the e-commerce giant that has been delivering goods seven days a week since 2015.

Hanjin Logistics is facing a severe backlash from its delivery workers after it decided to begin seven-day-a-week services on a trial basis in major cities starting Sunday. The move comes after CJ Logistics began daily deliveries in January.

The couriers criticized Hanjin for pushing for the plan without prior notice — unlike CJ, which tried to placate its workers by guaranteeing a five-day workweek through rotating shifts.

According to unionized delivery workers at Hanjin, a survey of 1,093 couriers out of 8,000 showed that 88 percent oppose seven-day-a-week service.

In response, Hanjin vowed to continue talks with workers to reach an agreement.

However, it remains uncertain whether labor and management will come to an agreement, as Hanjin's smaller workforce makes it difficult to adopt CJ's rotating system.

Because Hanjin workers typically cover broader delivery zones, they risk overwork when colleagues take two days off. Currently, they work six days a week with Sundays off.

"We are not saying that seven-day-a-week delivery is completely unacceptable," Hanjin's delivery workers said during a press conference Thursday. "But the company should proritize protecting our rights to stay healthy and rest."

CJ is also reportedly facing disputes in certain regions, with some workers claiming the company's agents broke promises to maintain a five-day workweek.

Last year, the company was embroiled in a dispute with its workers, who pointed out that the new shift system would force each one of a four-member team to cover for their three other off-duty colleagues on Sundays and Mondays.

"Even though CJ has continued negotiations with its workers, it still faces challenges," Hanjin's workers said.

After adopting the seven-day delivery system, however, CJ has seen a steep rise in sellers choosing the company to send their products to buyers.

Sunday and holiday parcel deliveries are therefore expected to become the norm in Korea despite ongoing labor conflicts, amid intense competition to satisfy consumers demanding faster service.

Lotte Global Logistics has also expressed intent to offer its services every day of the week.

"If our customers want it, we absolutely should provide seven-day-a-week delivery," Lotte Global Logistics CEO Kang Byoung-ku said Monday during a press conference on the company's upcoming listing on the benchmark KOSPI bourse.