"Confederations Evaded Opportunity of Labourers"

The Confederation of Trade Unions of Public Employees (KESK), the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK), the Turkish Confederation of Labour Unions (Türk-İş) and the Public Workers Unions Confederation of Turkey (Kamu-Sen) are going to carry out separate actions today (26 May). They had previously announced the decision for a "general action" on this day. Only KESK will be on strike for the whole day.

Bianet talked to Assistant Professor Dr Özgür Müftüoğly. He indicated that this situation could be anticipated when the Tekel workers brought their protest action in Ankara to an end on 22 February.

The workers' protests were initiated by the resistance of workers of the closed Tekel leaf tobacco factory which started on 15 December 2009. They demand to be transferred to other public enterprises under protection of their existing employee personal rights. The Tekel workers resist against working under the 4C regulation which would deprive them from their right to collective agreement and to strike. 4C furthermore includes a cut of salaries and severance pay without job guarantee. The workers want to work at public enterprises under the Labour Act instead.

According to Müftüoğlu, the compromising unions are the reason for a constant decline of workers' rights throughout the past 30 years. Those compromising unions should be replaces by a more challenging unionism, Müftüoğlu stated.

Actions on 26 May were clear since 22 February: The actions on 26 May were decided on 22 February when the Tekel workers brought their resistance in Ankara to an end after 78 days. I did not appreciate to postpone the protest actions for three months. The confederations did not work on preparing the protest during the past three months.

Workers are ready: We managed to carry the spark of 1 May over to 26 May. There are ongoing actions and protests in many places. Just at the same time, 30 mine workers lost their lives in Zonguldak (Black Sea coast). A large-scale protest action was expected and should have been prepared during the development of the struggle and the process of legitimization. The workers were ready for 26 May because they see the need. Lack of job guarantee is that much widespread and working conditions are so bad that the potential for a struggle is bigger than ever. But the confederations took an evasive decision.

Criticism: Protest actions of the workers against the TÜRK-İŞ administration are on the rise. Criticism voiced in Istanbul and Izmir is directed at TÜRK-İŞ as well as DİSK and KAMU-SEN. Only KESK decided to go on strike. However, we have to think calmly about a constructive solution and how the unions can fit into the workers' class struggle.

Structural problem of unions: Over the past 30 years, unions had an approach of compromise instead of struggling. The administrations are not ready for a struggle. KESK is more experienced. They are accustomed to struggling, even though in an ever decreasing manner.

Since the 1980s, unions all over the world have an approach to compromise with the political power and the capital. Existing labourer rights have vanished. Now they demand unions that advance for an organized struggle.

Invasion of TÜRK-İŞ building

About 100 workers invaded the TÜRK-İŞ building in Istanbul on 24 May to convey their demand for a general strike on 26 May. The workers called on TÜRK-İŞ President Mustafa Kumlu to resign because he acted in collusion with the government. The workers started a sit-down protest and went on a hunger strike. (TK/BT/VK)