Labour Movement in Turkey (15 August - 15 September 2024)

Workers’ Struggles Keep Growing!
At the Afşin-Elbistan Thermic Power Plant of Çelikler Holding, 8 workers were dismissed for demanding a wage increase on 18 August. In response, the workers protested against the dismissal of their coworkers, stopped work and started resistance. 300 workers were subjected to the dismissal attack.
Members of Dev Yapı-İş union, workers from Modular Technique, a subcontractor of Bayburt Group at Bakırköy Metro construction site, had taken action in front of Bayburt Group on 12 August due to 4 months of unpaid wages. On 22 August, as a result of the determination of the workers, the workers’ struggle resulted in a victory and the usurped wages were paid.
Mersen workers have been on strike since 19 April. On 21 August, Birleşik Metal-İş union leaders and workers from the workplaces where are authorized in Gebze Branch No. 1 participated in a solidarity event in front of the factory. The event was composed of the songs, halay, and slogans of solidarity.
On 17 August, the workers at Akcanlar Textile factory stopped production against tax cuts and the usurpation of their rights. In response, the boss dismissed 90 workers. The workers continue their struggle under the leadership of BİRTEK-SEN union.
On 22 August, workers of Osal Group at the Kozyatağı City Istanbul construction site stopped work and started picketing because of 2 months of unpaid wages.
Organized under Tekgıda-İş union, Polonez workers continue their struggle despite attacks, oppression and multiple detentions. Workers’ resistance is growing with solidarity. Workers from UİD-DER do not leave Polonez workers alone, they pay solidarity visits and support the workers’ struggle.
At Fernas Mining in Soma, miners were dismissed after getting unionised under Bağımsız Maden-İş union. On 24 August, the dismissed workers started picketing led by their union. On 30 August, the workers wanted to make a press statement, but military forces attacked the workers and took the workers into the custody. The workers continue their struggle with determination.
CarrefourSA Esenyurt warehouse workers joined the DGD-SEN union in order to increase their wages and improve their working conditions. But 6 workers were dismissed. After that, workers stopped work and started picketing on 12 August. Despite all kinds of attacks carried out with the collaboration of the government and capital, the workers continued their struggle and resulted in a victory on 28 August.
At the warehouse of Getir in Arnavutköy, Dinçer Logistic workers worked stoppages to demand pay raises and improve working conditions on 26 August. The workers’ action resulted in a victory on 28 August.
At the MKB Corrugated Box and Packaging factory, Selüloz-İş union and the management of the factory had been negotiating on collective bargaining agreement since January. After no agreement was reached in the collective bargaining negotiations, workers went on strike on 28 August. On 7 September, UID-DER paid an enthusiastic solidarity visit to the workers.
On 2 August, 127 workers from KEMBEL company of Kemalpaşa Municipality received a message from the Social Security Institution after work, which they had been dismissed. On 5 August, the workers started picketing demanding reinstatement. On 29 August, the workers’ action ended with a partial victory.
On 29 August, the workers from Ankamall Mall Sarar went on strike after no agreement was reached in the collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the company management and Hak-İş union.
A workplace delegate and 4 workers were dismissed at As Plastic factory where Petrol-İş union is organized. On 2 September, the dismissed workers started picketing in front of the factory. The workers expressed that the dismissal attack was an attempt to threaten the workers before the strike that will start on 19 September.
At the Spanish-based Tolsa factory, workers decided to strike on 2 September after the employer refused to accept demanded pay raises in the collective bargaining negotiations.
DİSK, Türk-İş and Hak-İş held press statements and demonstrations across Turkey against rising tax rates and growing impoverishment. The protests that started in August will continue throughout September in many cities across Turkey.