Strike at Nestlé

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Strike began at Nestlé’s factory in Karacabey district of Bursa on Tuesday due to conflict in collective labor agreement (TİS).

TekGıda - İş union has obtained authorization in 2016. The union for the first time has started to negotiate with the employer for the TİS.

When no agreement could be achieved in the negotiations continuing since February, strike has begun in the factory of 900 workers.

Negotiations are continuing

Mustafakemal Paşa Branch President, Engin Öz speaking to bianet has expressed that they are still in touch with the employer and are taking positive steps, yet an agreement is yet to be reached.

“Workers here receive in average minimum wage. Our demand is 600 TL (180 euro) on equal basis and 20 TL raise for year of seniority. The employer has raised its first offer at the end of the talks, its final offer is 135 TL raise on equal basis and 16 TL for year of seniority; 240 TL on equal basis and 17 TL raise for year of seniority for the workers who have been working for five years or longer.

“Another reason for our strike is contracted employees. There are 192 workers in the factory working on contract based. Our demand is that these employees to be taken into permanent status”.

It had laid off 28 workers

Nestlé had laid off its 28 workers during the negotiation of TİS period. Of those workers, 21 had started reemployment lawsuit and returned to their job.

Nestlé’s statement

Nestlé said the following in its statement: “Our company has offered double the inflation rate in wages to be able to come to an agreement in the period lasting since February. By this bid we proposed, now no staff has been left with minimum wage in our factory and full-time workers have acquired high standard social rights. Unfortunately, the union hasn’t taken a step back in their financial demands since February”.

It has been in Turkey over 107 years

Operating in Turkey over 107 years, Nestlé carries out its productions in four factories in Karacabey of Bursa, Adapazarı of Sakarya and Kestel in Bursa. It employs 3,700 people directly and over 6,000 indirectly. (NV/TK)