On Saturday 5 April, members of Nakliyat-Is (affiliated to Revolutionary Workers’ Union Confederation, DISK) organised a protest outside McDonalds in Bakirkoy, Istanbul. Union members protested Havi Logistics, the multinational company that supplies products to McDonalds in Turkey and in many other countries, for not recognising the union and delaying the court process. And they appealed to members of the public to boycott McDonalds.
Even though the union has got enough members to be recognised, the employer appealed against it, which could take years until the union to gain recognition and start the collective bargaining talks. These union busting tactics aims to weaken workers ability to fightback at a time when the company only pays workers the meagre national minimum wages, which is way below the poverty line.
As the union leader said in his speech, 35 individuals in Turkey have three times more wealth than the bottom 50% of the population (42.5 million). But yet, a tiny minority in the society continue increasing their wealth. Union members chanted: “Rebellion, strike and resistance”
Student solidarity
Galatasaray University students in Istanbul also made a call to support Nakliyat-Is workers. Around 20 students joined the protest. They chanted: “workers and youth hold hands and let’s prepare for a general strike”
Students have been facing increasing repression from Erdogan’s regime because they have been at the forefront of the mass protests that rocked Turkey. Students understand the potential role the organised working class can play in bringing the whole society to an halt.
After a few speeches, including from a student representative, workers and students organised a mini march down the busy high street in Bakirkoy, with many of the public supporting the workers.
The whole protest was almost surrounded by police officers since the start, including a few police officers who were recording everyone faces. But it was a peaceful protest overall as the police did let workers and students march down the street.
Build mass action of workers and youth
The protest was even more significant by the fact that students who have been facing repression turned towards the trade union movement for support.
There is vital need of building mass action of workers and youth, independently from pro-capitalist forces. Such as force can offer a working-class alternative and address the issues facing the working class and the youth. It can put forward a socialist programme for decent education, housing, benefits, transport fees, and build the movement to defeat Erdogan and his ilk.