Global union federation applauds Tumtis court win

1 April 2009

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) has endorsed Monday’s Turkish Labour Court decision to recognise its affiliated union Tumtis as the legitimate trade union of choice for workers employed by the Akan-sel Nakliyat company, which provides land based services in Mersin Port, Turkey. The judgement vindicates the ITF’s support for Tumtis and for dialogue after the company intimidated and dismissed 120 workers for supporting the union.

Akan-sel Nakliyat is a loading, discharging and transport operator at Mersin International Port (MIP). The workers there - mainly loaders and forklift and lorry drivers - had turned to the union for help in the face of low wages and long working hours. Before it represented them the union inquired of the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs whether the workers could be classified as potential members, as Turkish law requires. The Ministry agreed they could. Monday’s finding rejects an attempt by the company to overturn that ruling.

The union’s recruitment drive began in October 2008 and by the end of the year, more than the ‘50% plus one employee’ required by Turkish law for the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement to commence had signed up to the union. At this point the sacking and intimidation began. Despite this more workers are joining the union, which continues to represent the majority of Akan-Sel Nakliyat workers providing contract services relating to MIP. Strong support has come from the local community, and Tumtis members have held a picket line every day since the dispute began. The ITF states that health and safety at the site has been seriously affected by the sackings. One forklift truck driver has died.

The ITF has backed Tumtis in its efforts to persuade the company management to come to the negotiating table, but so far those approaches have been rejected. ITF Inland Transport Section Secretary Mac Urata commented: “The ITF is proud to have backed Tumtis in facing down this latest challenge to its ability to fight for the rights of workers and for the reinstatement of the sacked workers. We firmly believe that an ongoing dialogue at the company is the only sensible way for Akan-sel Nakliyat to go now.”

ENDS

For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk

International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org

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