Worker Strike Ban Taken to Council of State

United Steel-Work (Birleşik Metal-İş ) Union submitted a request to Turkey’s Council of State (Danıştay) for the suspension of a strike ban order issued by the cabinet.  

“The ban order must be cancelled by the Council of State,” United Steel-Work Union Chairman Adnan Serdaroğlu told bianet. 

“Our workers have taken the struggle to the factory,” he continued. “5 factories have left Steel Industrialists Union (MESS) already and we are resuming our talks.” 

The incident dates back to January 29 when United Steel-Work Union announced a strike after failing contract negotiations with MESS. 

Upon that around 15,000 workers started a strike in 22 factories across 10 cities. However, Turkey’s cabinet suspended the strike for 60 days, saying that the strike was “compromising the national security”. 

“We have never observed our workers compromising the national security,” Serdaroğlu said. 

“We will be outside the headquarters of Council of State and Labor Ministry on Wednesday [February 4]. Inside and outside, everywhere is a field of strike.” 

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.