OMSA Metal Resistance Action by United Metal-Is in Front of the Consulate General of Sweden: "Our Right to Unionize cannot be Blocked!"

ISTANBUL - The United Metalworkers Union (Birleşik Metal-İş) took their 65-day-long resistance against the dismissal of their members for union organizing at Swedish-owned OMSA Metal to the front of the Swedish Consulate General. During the protest, which took place under a heavy police blockade, union management and members shouted that workers' union rights cannot be prevented.

Support from Headquarters and Branch Managers

The protest in front of the Swedish Consulate General building in Beyoğlu, Istanbul was attended by United Metalworkers Union General President Özkan Atar, General Secretary Ali Çeltek, General Organizing Secretary Fehmi Elmacı. In addition, executives, experts, workplace representatives and many members of the Gebze Branch No. 1 of the union also supported the workers. Representatives of labor-friendly political parties, civil society organizations and sister unions also attended the statement and sent a message of solidarity.

At the protest, metal workers expressed their demands with slogans such as "Our right to a union cannot be prevented!", "We will win if we resist!", "There is no salvation, either all together or none of us!" and "We want to live humanely".

65 Days of Honorable Resistance

Birleşik Metal-İş Union has publicized the 65 days of honorable resistance of its members who were fired from their jobs at OMSA Metal because they were unionized. In a statement in front of the Swedish Consulate General, the union called on the international community and Swedish authorities to stand against the violation of trade union rights.