News

The management of IBM Turkey has rejected the application for recognition by TezKoop-IS, a trade union representing the employees of IBM. The union claims to have organised over 80% of the workforce at IBM Turkey. The Turkish Minister of Labour has confirmed that trade union membership is well beyond the required 50% and has informed IBM management that they have to recognise TezKoop-IS and start collective bargaining with the union.

Yet, IBM management challenged the numbers and refused recognition straight away.

The UNI Europa ICTS Taskforce on Multinationals, meeting in Brussels on last Friday, strongly criticised the Turkish IBM management and requested the immideate recognition of the trade union. In a solidarity message to TezKoop-IS, UNI's Gerhard Rohde expressed his consternation about management's attitude. On behalf of the ICTS Taskforce he conveyed solidarity greetings to the Turkish colleagues.

In a protest note to the Turkish IBM management, G. Rohde urged management to recognise the union and to enter into collective bargaining in good faith and a constructive manner. He also said that this behaviour was not what employees, customers and the general public expected from a modern company that is the world leader in information technology.

The union is not prepared to accept management's decision. It has already announced a campaign involving press and media.