The President of TEKGIDA-IS Trade union Mr Mustafa TÜRKEL, urges that referendums be held at workplaces where the certification of authority problem stands in the way of signing a collective agreement.

The President of TEKGIDA-IS Trade Union Mr Mustafa TÜRKEL, urges that referendums be held at workplaces where the certification of authority problem stands in the way of signing a collective agreement.

The long, drawn-out court cases for determining the issue of the authorized union are becoming the most vicious problem of our collective agreement system.

Although, Law No. 6356 on Unions and Collective Agreements represents an attempt at a solution for the long-term court cases for determining the authorized union, a precise solution hasn’t been achieved yet.

And also, it is obvious that this situation penalizes workers more than the unions, especially TEKGIDA-IS Trade Union which is organised at ÇAYKUR and COCA COLA workplaces, and also the other unions at different branch of industries.

Even in workplaces where the union is organized and there are no obstacles to the right to negotiate, unions often cannot sign collective agreements because other unions claim rights which sometimes are not legitimate.

As a result, the workers are deprived of their economic and social rights for long years. Certainly, it could be claimed that the employers get some advantages from this situation, but it can also be observed that inter-union conflict is harmful to a harmonious working environment and increases instability at the workplaces whose employers respect the trade union organizations.

Actually, employers who pay attention to the views and choices of their workers have clear information about which union has the right to be the bargaining unit on behalf of its members.

But almost there is a theatre staged, and the reality is destroyed through long, drawn-out legal proceedings. As for our union, the solution to this situation has been clear for a long time.

The solution is in democracy. Solution: Referendum

Although, there is no provision for a "Referendum System" in our legal framework, there is no obstacle to applying such a way to achieve real and quick solutions.

The importance is to respect and agree with the conclusion As TEKGIDA-IS Trade Union, in view of our duty of responsibility as a trade union, we denounce the victimization of the workers, who for many years have been working at ÇAYKUR and COCA COLA factories and the other workplaces where authorization disputes continue.

TEKGIDA-IS Trade Union is ready to hold a referendum initially at ÇAYKUR and COCA COLA anytime. The result of the referendum polls which would be set up under the control of independent observers and delegates would be accepted and respected.

This invitation is making as the worthy of the existence of union for the benefit of the workers.

THIS CALL IS FOR DEMOCRACY. THIS CALL IS FOR THOSE WHO RESPECT THE INDEPENDENT CHOICE OF THE WORKER.