Union wins authorization case against media conglomerate

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The Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) has announced that it has been officially recognized as having the necessary majority to initiate collective bargaining negotiations at Hürriyet newspaper, according to a recent ruling by the court of appeal.

The court of appeals affirmed the decision of the lower court, stating, "The first-instance court's decision is in accordance with the procedural and legal requirements, and none of the objections raised against it have been found valid."

The court considered various factors, including the claims and defenses presented by both parties, the supporting documents, the characterization of the legal relationship, and the logical and consistent findings of the lower court based on the evidence. Consequently, the appeal of the Ministry's representative was rejected on substantive grounds, as stated in the lower court's decision.

TGS urged the Labor and Social Security Ministry to respect the court's decision and promptly issue the authorization document. If the ministry decides to challenge the ruling, the Court of Cassation's confirmation of the court of appeal's decision would pave the way for TGS to engage in collective bargaining negotiations with Hürriyet.

The union also emphasized the importance of improving the working conditions and wages of Hürriyet newspaper employees, adding that fighting for economic and social rights under the protection of a union is a constitutional right that should not be violated.

"This decision, which affirms our legitimacy once again, is a significant milestone in our ongoing struggle to combat the oppressive practices in the media industry," the union's statement read.

Furthermore, TGS asserted their commitment to preventing the usurpation of authority resulting from unlawful actions by employers. They concluded their statement by reaffirming their dedication to upholding the rights of journalists, declaring, "Strong with the Journalists Union!"

Background

The recent developments stem from the unionization of Hürriyet employees in 2019, which granted TGS the majority support needed to apply for authorization from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

However, Demirören Holding, the parent company of Hürriyet, retaliated by retroactively terminating the contracts of 45 unionized employees and making fictitious re-hirings.

The ministry initially claimed that TGS did not fulfill the required majority, leading to a legal process that culminated in the ruling of the İstanbul 24th Labor Court in December 2022, confirming TGS's sufficient majority. Nevertheless, the Ministry chose to pursue an appeal instead of granting the authorization document to TGS.

The court of appeal's decision now presents a significant opportunity for TGS to advance the collective bargaining process and advocate for improved rights and conditions for journalists at Hürriyet newspaper.

In 2017, Demirören Holding, known for its close ties to the government, acquired the Doğan Media Group, the largest media conglomerate in Turkey at the time which also owned Hürriyet.

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(HA/VK)