News

IBM’s management has been trying to discourage any union development at his Turkish subsidiary since December 2007.



Firstly, they attempted to prevent workers from becoming unionized. They held meetings and gave special speeches making many beautiful promises as to growth, career, etc. to workers who would not join the union.



Later, they dismissed one senior executive attempting to ask for workers’ rights on his own. Citing unclear reasons, they declared, "Persons who ask for their rights will be kicked out, since we prefer working exclusively with executives who will do exactly what we want.”



After that, they filed a lawsuit against UNI affiliate TEZ-KOOP for doubtful reasons.



They have now initiated a new process of appeal against the Ministry of Labour as soon as the legal decision, published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey, has been taken in favour of the union.



On the other hand IBM declared they “...will respect the legal rights of its employees to join or to refrain from joining worker organizations, including labor organizations or trade unions. IBM respects the rights of employees to organize, and makes managers at all levels aware of those rights......” – IBM Policies: Freedom of association



UNI categorically condemns IBM’s management attitude since they prevent workers from exercising one of their most fundamental right, protected by ILO conventions, of being unionized.



They employed "union terminator" executives paid nearly $70,000/Month. All of these executives are not only accused of baring union hostility, but they are also famous for acting as Capitalist terminators who can give employees the elbow.

On top of that, IBM dismissed another fellow executive on October 16th who was working for the company for more than 20 years because he was trying to defend the rights acquired by employees in the last years! Union leaders are afraid of other unfair dismissals happening in the future.



This new mentality which denies both rights and law enforcement to workers is unacceptable!