Woowahan Cheongnyeondeul, the logistics arm of Baedal Minjok (Baemin), South Korea's largest food delivery platform, announced Tuesday that it will abolish the pre-scheduled shift booking feature on its pilot rider application "Road Runner," currently being tested in Osan and Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province.
"In the process of introducing a new rider app to improve dispatch quality, we actively reviewed a wide range of on-the-ground opinions from riders through the Delivery Platform Workers' Union," the company said.
Road Runner's scheduling feature allowed riders to reserve their available delivery hours in advance and operate according to the pre-set timetable. However, the Delivery Platform Workers' Union had argued the feature could undermine rider autonomy and had consistently demanded its removal since formal bargaining with Woowahan Cheongnyeondeul began in September last year.
Under the agreement, the new rider app slated for testing in the second half of this year will operate dispatches solely on a real-time basis without the scheduling function. Riders currently using Road Runner in Hwaseong and Osan will also be transitioned to a system that lets them make deliveries at any time without prior schedule registration. Both sides agreed to strengthen on-the-ground cooperation to enhance rider safety and operational efficiency.
"The scheduling feature was an issue the union had continuously raised concerns about, as it could restrict rider autonomy," said Hong Chang-ui, chairman of the Delivery Platform Workers' Union. "Since this decision reflects on-the-ground opinions, we will continue to negotiate responsibly for the protection of rider rights and institutional improvements."
"Responding swiftly and sincerely to the union's requests is the starting point of a sustainable relationship," said Kwon Oh-jung, CEO of Woowahan Cheongnyeondeul. "We will continue communicating with the field so that riders can work in a better environment."