TEKEL Workers Demand Investigation about Union Head

Workers of TEKEL, former monopoly holder of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, filed a complaint about Mustafa Türkel, General Head of the Tobacco, Alcoholic Beverages and Food Subsidiary Workers Union of Turkey (Tek Gıda-İş) at the 1^st Regional Presidency of Türk-İş (Turkish Confederation of Labour Unions). The workers had previously protested Türkel by throwing eggs at him because he had not kept his promises made to the workers. Thereupon, police officers and his bodyguards intervened and beat the protesting workers.

Türkel was protested on 24 November when he entered the union building in 4^th Levent (Istanbul). He had previously assured his support to the Tekel workers saying, "Even if there is only one single person left, it is dishonourable and vile not to resist against 4-C!" The 4-C status deprives workers of their right to get organized in labour unions and to seniority compensation.

Tekel worker Metin Aslan got severely wounded in the incident. Together with another eight Tekel workers, he filed a complaint at the Türk-İş 1^st Regional Directorate and demanded to launch an administrative and disciplinary investigation about Türkel.

Aslan said in an announcement, "Tek Gıda-İş does not protect us. He deceived us and convicted us to 4-C. They are earning their salaries on our money. The executives heavily insulted us, they beat us with their truncheons and sticks and they offended us with their statements".

58 days of resistance

Subsequent to the announcement, the workers submitted their petition to Faruk Büyükkucak, the Regional President of Türk-İş. About one hour later, Büyükkucak made the following announcement:

"The use of violence is unacceptable. I witnessed incidents that I have not seen throughout my whole time in the union. The president might be pelted with eggs. The protestors did not resume to violence. [...]".

"I believe that the problem can be solved when the parties come together. We believe that Mr Mustafa Türkel can find a solution for this issue. I forwarded the petition to Ankara".

About 60 workers have been protesting in Ankara for the past 58 days against their transition to "temporary personnel" according to Article 4-C of the Civil Servant Law. At least ten people of the group of protestors at a time are carrying on with their 24/7 sit-down strike in front of the union building.

Tekel workers from the cities of Hatay, Izmir, Manisa, Tokat, Istanbul and Batman will file a criminal complaint at the Sultahahmet (Istanbul) Courthouse on Tuesday (30 November).

Tores Dinçöz, Istanbul Secretary of the Turkey Union of Chambers of Architects and Engineers (TMMOB), and Ali Çerkezoğlu, Secretary General of the Istanbul Medical Chamber, said that the struggle against insecure working conditions should be pursued together. (BT/EÖ)