ITF puts Turkish employer on notice

TÜVTÜRK is a consortium owned by three companies: Dogus Otomotiv, a Turkish automotive distributor; Bridgepoint, a London based private equity fund; and Tüv Süd, a German vehicle and industrial inspection business.

The ITF-affiliated Turkish trade union TUMTIS has reported that eight workers have been sacked at different vehicle inspection stations across Turkey – Gaziantep, Ordu-Giresun and Ankara – and that union members at these stations have been victimised by management.

Recently, TUMTIS has made some real gains for workers in TÜVTÜRK locations, including the signing of an agreement at one site and negotiations proceeding at another. This successful union campaign had forced the company to engage. However, TUMTIS leaders have reported that anti-union practices, such as pressuring union members to give up their union membership, have continued.

In a warning letter to TÜVTÜRK and its owners, Mac Urata, ITF inland transport sections secretary, said: “We call on your company to immediately end the victimisation of TUMTIS members and to reinstate the unfairly dismissed workers without delay. We also demand that steps are taken to ensure union rights are respected throughout your operations and by all your subcontractors.”