News

UNI affiliate Guvenlik-Is has produced some spectacular growth results in the very early days of its union organising. Since November 2013 it has grown from 800 members to over7,000! It has already achieved the 1% national density in the sector that is necessary under Turkish law to allow the union to collect fees and campaign for recognition. General Secretary Bolat Ankarali announced at the start of a UNI organised 3 day training course that the union had now recruited 6,200 new members. this means the union has made a determined start in a sector that employs over 200,000 workers in Turkey.

UNI funds have been used to employ 4 union organisers to work with the 200 activists of the new union to win recognition agreements in the largest companies as part of the plan to win national bargaining rights. G4S, Securitas, ISS and Loomis - all have whom have signed global agreements with UNI - all operate within Turkey.

The training was also delivered by workers from IG BAU in Germany who came to share their experience of organising many workers - including many of Turkish descent. Two of the German comrades are originally from Turkey and a very successful training exercise was presented to all.

The training focused on planning and working with activists but it is clear that the union is developing at a very fast pace. Once its strength is further established in targeted companies the campaign will shift to campaigning for bargaining rights and recognition.

The picture shows Guvenlik-Is workers taking part in May Day marches last year. May Day marches this year have been banned in Taksim Square, scene of a massacre of 37 trade unionists by state forces in 1977 and more recently the scene of anti government protests.