News online
Pilots in Turkey to organise stoppage over unfair dismissal
24 July 2008
Pilots employed by a Turkish airline have called for a work stoppage following the dismissal of a shop steward.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ITF-affiliated union representing the Turkish Airlines (THY) pilots, Hava-Is, said that the workers would refrain from their duties for one day. The move is in protest against the termination of Captain Bahadir Altan’s contract, a Hava-Is shop steward. Altan was dismissed following an incident that occurred on 1 July at Ankara airport - passengers were asked to wait in the airport lounge until the aircraft’s air conditioning system, which had failed, had been repaired, and until the crew had had their meals.
Management asked Altan to produce a written statement to justify his actions, which he did. However, shortly after receiving the statement, the employer concluded that his explanation was unsatisfactory and he was dismissed.
Altan has received the backing of representatives of the Turkish Aerospace Medical Association as well as the Turkish Airline Pilots’ Association; they criticised the decision, claiming it constituted unfair dismissal.
Hava-Is believes the dismissal is part of the airline’s continuing anti-union victimisation; Altan has voiced opposition to extra long flight duty times that run counter to regulations. He explained: “We managed to gain many rights for aviation workers and I worked hard to help achieve this. I am not the first one who has been punished or fired because I am an active trade unionist.”
Back to current news online stories
|
view larger image
