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Koop-Is, the Turkish commerce union, is celebrating after securing union recognition at IKEA following a long and hard-fought campaign.

Backed by UNI Global Union and its Swedish affiliates, the campaign has been a major priority for UNI Commerce and its IKEA Global  Union Alliance for the past three years.

KOOP-İŞ President Eyüp Alemdar said that the organising process signals a crucial step in the retail sector in Turkey. “Without harming the peace between workers and employers, we will improve workers’ rights and freedoms through mobilising social dialogue mechanisms in IKEA Turkey,” Alemdar said.

“I would like to congratulate IKEA Turkey workers for their courage throughout the lengthy and at times very challenging process.”

UNI launched the IKEA Global Union Alliance in March 2012 in the Turkish capital Istanbul. Delegates from 20 trade unions and 14 countries joined the alliance to set about finding a global solution to local issues at IKEA.

The Alliance launched a mobilisation plan to support Turkish IKEA workers after IKEA’s Turkish franchisee Mapa refused to engage in dialogue with Koop-Is and openly resisted unionisation. The IKEA union has now secured recognition from the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security which gives it negotiation rights on behalf of the workers.

Head of UNI Commerce Alke Boessiger called on IKEA Turkey to respect the decision of the Turkish authorities and enter immediately into negotiations for a collective agreement.

“We offer our congratulations to all IKEA workers in Turkey following this important win for union rights,” Boessiger said.

“It is now time for IKEA Turkey to follow in the footsteps of other multinationals such as  Mediamarkt (part of German Metro Group) and enter into negotiations with Koop-Is for a collective agreement without any delay.”

IKEA, the Swedish multinational furniture, appliances and home accessories producer operates in 48 different countries worldwide. More than 1800 workers are employed at IKEA Turkey. Koop-Is has more than 770 members at IKEA Turkey stores in Turkey.