News

Members of Istanbul Branch and Adriana Rosenzvaig





May 1st in Turkey simply confirmed the difficult scenario in which Turkish unions have to carry out their activities. In spite of this, Basin-Is maintains its determination to continue creating new unions and ensure that an ever greater number of workers access the benefits of collective bargaining.



The Struggle for Women’s Equality



Basin-Is maintains its decision to ensure that women in the print and packaging industry increase their participation in the union and also feel there is a need for them in it. To facilitate this relationship, the strategy is based on creating Women’s Committees in each and every one of the organized plants.

Adriana Rosenzvaig had the chance to talk with the Gender Coordinator of Basin-Is, Ildiz Ekiz, who spoke to us in detail about a task that is not easy. “We have to confront the antiunion attitude of the companies, but also a patriarchal culture that imposes and self-imposes all kinds of limitations to the participation of women in the life the unions,” Ildiz told us. In a meeting with women workers at the Etapak packaging company in Izmir, we saw that the effort the union is making is beginning to have positive results.

“Without the women, our union would not have the same strength;” “They listen to us now, and respect our opinions and advise;” “I kept my union affiliation a secret so my family would not react against my decision, but now they understand and support it:” These were some of the comments made by the women in a heartfelt meeting held in Izmir..







For the moment, Basin-Is has set up Women’s Committees in six companies and continues making efforts to achieve advances in its struggle for gender equality.









Women workers in Izmir





ALCAN in Izmir



In spite of the good relations UNI G has with ALCAN Packaging in other countries, and the positive meetings we had with the company and the union in the Istanbul plant twice, the local management of this multinational did not authorize us to visit the plant, explaining that headquarters (which after the purchase by Río Tinto is in England) did not feel it was convenient.

The truth is that in spite of reiterated attempts by the union, ALCAN Packaging in Izmir does not allow the union leaders access to the plant. It thereby denies them the possibility of contacting workers to explain the benefits of belonging to Basin-Is and of being protected by a collective bargaining agreement.

The direction of the packaging division of ALCAN, after the company was bought by Rio Tinto, is a concern for the workers.

UNI Graphical is closely following the developments here.





E-KART Continues Attacking Worker Rights in Turkey



E-KART, the Turkish branch of the German company. Giesecke & Devrient, continues attacking the union rights of graphical workers. In spite of the fact that Basin-Is has managed to set up a union in the plant and has revalidated its right to represent the workers and bargain collectively at all legal levels, E-KART maintains its antiunion attitude with arguments that can only be qualified as cynical.

The company alleges that Basin-Is does not have enough support from the workers to be a valid spokesman in collective bargaining, when the truth is that the company itself has used all kinds of strategies to weaken the union and prevent the recognition of Basin-Is.

In 2006, UNI carried out a public campaign denouncing the attitude of this company. Many unions from throughout the world intervened so that the company would understand the need to establish a positive dialogue with the union. Among them were the affiliates of the workers of the German headquarters, G & D, represented by our affiliate Ver.di. Since then, the company has not relented in its attitude to attempt to destroy the union, using for this all manner of resources. UNI Graphical Global Union believes it is time now for E-KART to accept that dialogue and respect for union legislation is the only acceptable path.

Holding the meeting of the UNI Europa Executive Committee in Istanbul will give us the opportunity to discuss this matter with the unions that are members of the Committee. At the same time, UNI Graphical will request a formal meeting with the local managers of the company. “We would like to establish constructive dialogue, but E-KART is determined to not listen to us and to try to deteriorate the image of the union in the eyes of the workers,” reported the President of Basin-Is, Yakup Akaya.



May 1st in Istanbul: 30 Thousand Police Against the Workers



The peaceful protest convened by the main union centrals in Istanbul was confronted by unjustifiable police violence, witnessed by UNI Graphical’s Head of Department who was in the building of one of the Centrals, Disk, when it was flooded with gas.



Thousands of police and helicopters flying over Istanbul attempted to impede the worker rally. By mid morning the air was unbeatable due to the continuous launching of tear gas. Nevertheless, the workers continued rallying at the different corners, trying to exercise their right to demonstrate.



Tension, frustration, and apprehension because of an action without any rational explanation: these were the feelings experienced on the streets. And, many questions as to the reason for a political decision totally at variance with a democratic regime.













For more information: Adriana.rosenzvaig@uniglobalunion.org