The ITF has announced the latest wave of support for striking civil aviation workers as they pass 140 days of an indefinite strike against employers, Turkish Airways (THY).
THY workers’ union Hava-Is called the indefinite strike back in May 2013, as employers refused to reinstate workers sacked by email, SMS or phone. THY remains intransigent despite widespread global support for the workers, a court ruling in their favour, and a complaint to the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The new phase of the Reinstate the 305 campaign seeks to highlight awareness among THY passengers about the ongoing dispute, and will start on the ITUC World Day of Decent Work on 7th October 2013. ITF affiliates worldwide will participate in the action, alongside tourism sector workers affiliated to the International Union of Food workers (IUF). Activists will leaflet passengers, visit Turkish Airlines representatives, and take all peaceful means necessary to raise awareness of the situation.
Hava-Is president Atilay Aycin said: “ITF and IUF activists all over the world will again come together in solidarity with the dismissed Turkish Airways workers. Activists in India, Philippines, Korea and Australia will be leafleting passengers at THY destinations worldwide between 7 and 20 October 2013. We have three simple requests from Turkish Airlines – put the health and safety of passengers and crew first, respect workers’ rights, and get back around the negotiating table with us.”
Find out more background to the campaign at www.reinstate305.org. Get involved in the campaign and join a global solidarity movement backing dismissed Turkish Airways workers! Find out how you can get involved, and download campaign material, at www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/solidarity-3822.cfm.
