Logistics has become the buzzword in today’s global economy. But who exactly are logistics workers, and what is the history of the logistics revolution? In this episode, we explore the world of logistics workers and their efforts to build bargaining power through organising and disruption.

Our guest, Wol-san Liem, has worked for years with transport workers, previously at the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union (KPTU) and now at the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

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We spoke about how transport workers build their collective power based on their structural, associational and societal power. We also delved into the recent strike waves by Korean truckers, examining their strategic approaches in national campaigns and the hostile responses of the government.

In the final segment, Kiang offers his thoughts on the recent general elections in Thailand and what it means for organised labour; and, Kevin shares his observations from a recent trip to the Philippines about the union movement’s fight against contractualisation and repression.

Further Reading:

Wol-san Liem, “Resisting Labour Degradation in Korea”, Asian Labour Review, May 21, 2023, https://labourreview.org/truck-drivers/