Turkish metalworkers fired for union organizing need your help.

The International Metalworkers and the European Metal Workers Federations are calling on auto components and sports equipment maker Ekoendustri to reinstate the workers immediately and respect ILO conventions 87 and 98 to which Turkey is a signatory.

New members of Birleşik Metal-Is at the Ekoendustri are under attack by management who have fired 15 active union leaders after the workers applied for union representation to the Labour Ministry. Other unions members face intense harassment and intimidation by the company who have been pressuring workers to resign from Birleşik Metal-Is or face dismissal.

Birleşik Metal-Is, an affiliate of the International Metalworkers' Federation reports that in August and September of 2009, the union began an organising drive inside Ekoendustri, a company that produces, automotive components, white goods components and also sports equipment.

On December 29, 2009 the union applied to the Labour Ministry for bargaining rights after a majority of workers voted for union representation by Birleşik Metal-Is.

Soon after on January 25th, 2010, nine workers and active union members were fired. Since this date, another six workers have been fired.

In a joint letter to Ekoendustri management, the IMF and the European Metalworkers' Federation reminded the company that Turkey has ratified the International Labour Organizations' Conventions No. 87 (Freedom of Association) and No. 98 (Right to Collective Bargaining) guaranteeing workers the right to join unions and bargain collectively.

"Ekoendustri's actions are in violation of these internationally recognized labour standards as well as contrary to the codes of conduct outlined by your leading customer, Decathlon Group, now Oxylane Group," the letter stated adding "We urge you to immediately and unconditionally reinstate all workers unjustly dismissed, cease and desist from interrogating and harassing union members, and respect internationally recognized workers' rights, particularly the right to join and form unions and the right to collectively bargain."

UPDATE: February 11, 2010 - Birleşik Metal-Is reports that management at Ekoendustri is disturbed by letters sent in by unions internationally, including a joint IMF/EMF letter protesting management's actions. The international response has prompted a government investigation. The IMF is calling on affiliates to immediately send in letters to management calling for the reinstatement of the 15 union members dismissed and demanding that Turkey respects the rights of workers to join unions and collectively bargain.

Please copy IMF (UnionRights@imfmetal.org) and Birleşik Metal-Is (elifbirlesikmetal@gmail.com) on all correspondence.

Sample letter

EKOENDUSTRI
Mr. Egemen Ekrem Demiroz
Mr. Zeki Yondem
Kemalpa_a Organize Sanayii Bölgesi, Ulucak Mevkii 8
Sokak no: 2 KEMALPA_A – IZMIR
TURKEY
Tel: +90 232 877 10 10
Fax: +90 232 877 10 09
Email: info@ekoendustri.com



RE: Violations of International Labour Rights


Dear Sirs,

I/We are seriously concerned about the violations of trade union rights at Ekoendustri which is located at Izmir, Turkey.

Specifically, we strongly object to the unfair dismissal of 15 workers, all of them union members of Birle_ik Metal-Is. We are disturbed to learn that management has used threats and intimidation towards union members, urging them to resign from Birle_ik Metal-Is or face dismissal in an effort to deny workers basic internationally recognized rights.

Birle_ik Metal-Is has informed us that in August and September of 2009, the union began an organising drive inside Ekoendustri, a company that produces, automotive components, white goods components and also sports equipment. On December 29th 2009 a majority of workers voted for union representation by Birle_ik Metal-Is. Soon after on 25 January 2010, nine workers and active union members were unjustly fired. Since the 25th, another 6 workers have been fired. Management is threatening workers with dismissal for joining the union and has been holding one on one meetings and interrogating workers about their trade union activities in the plant.

As you are aware, Turkey is a signatory of the International Labour Organisations’ Conventions No. 87 (Freedom of Association) and No. 98 (Right to Collective Bargaining) guaranteeing workers the right to join unions and bargain collectively. Ekoendustri’s actions are in violation of these internationally recognized labour standards as well as contrary to the codes of conduct outlined by your leading customer, Decathlon Group, now Oxylane Group.

We urge you to immediately and unconditionally reinstate all workers unjustly dismissed cease and desist from interrogating and harassing union members, and respect internationally recognized workers' rights, particularly the right to join and form unions and the right to collectively bargain.

We look forward to hearing from you shortly on this matter.


Sincerely,


Send letters to:

EKOENDUSTRI
Mr. Egemen Ekrem Demiroz
Mr. Zeki Yondem
Kemalpaşa Organize Sanayii Bölgesi, Ulucak Mevkii 8
Sokak no: 2 KEMALPAŞA - IZMIR
TURKEY
Tel: +90 232 877 10 10
Fax: +90 232 877 10 09

Email: info@ekoendustri.com