News

When ISS lost its contract in Istanbul for maintenance, technical and assistance services at Koc University, after 10 years, workers were initially told they would be reassigned to other ISS jobs. However, when these reassignments began, workers were facing substantial reductions in wages, rights and working conditions, in violations of Turkish law.



Through local protests, supported by students and academics from the University, Sosyal-Is Union and UNI Global Union, workers turned this situation around. Workers will be hired by the new sub-contracting company and ISS accepted responsibility for paying workers according to their seniority and other legal rights they have under the law when their employment is terminated in this type of situation.



Attached, in the related files section above. is a letter sent to UNI Commerce Head of Department, Alke Boessiger and UNI Europa Regional Secretary, Oliver Roethig, by Sosyal-Is in support of the workers and asking for UNI global support. UNI Property Services contacted ISS in Copenhagen and asked for intervention. Workers protested with strong local support and the outcome is that workers’ rights were upheld. Global solidarity—it works!