Union Resistance at Omsa Metal by United Metal-Is: 57 Workers Expelled, Struggle Continues with Determination

Kocaeli - In the recently organized Omsa Metal workplace, where collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations are ongoing, 57 workers who are members of the United Metal-İş Union were dismissed for exercising their union rights. The workers, who started to resist in front of the factory after these unlawful dismissals, continue their struggle with determination with the full support of their union.

Omsa Metal's Mass Dismissal Against Union Organizing

At Omsa Metal in Kocaeli, part of the Swedish Safetyrespect AB group, 57 union members were dismissed during collective bargaining negotiations that began following the organizing efforts of the Birleşik Metal-İş Union. Union officials said the dismissals were directly motivated by union activities and were a clear attack on trade union rights.

In reaction to this situation, the dismissed workers set up a resistance tent in front of the factory's gate and started their quest for rights. Announcing their struggle with the slogans "Workers' unity will defeat capital" and "There is no salvation, either all together or none of us", the workers are calling for solidarity.

General President Özkan Atar: "Union Membership Caused a Disruption"

In a statement made on his social media account, Özkan Atar, President of the United Metal-İş Union, stated that Omsa Metal, a member of the Safetyrespect AB group, whose slogan is "We Save Lives", does not respect the rights of workers who are members of a union in Turkey and has caused a social destruction with their families by dismissing 57 workers for unionizing. Atar emphasized that this situation is unacceptable.

General President Özkan Atar and General Education Secretary Özcan Atmaca, together with Gebze Branch No. 1 executives and representatives from other factories in the region, visited the workers in resistance. Atar gave morale and support to the workers during the visit and gave the message "We will continue our struggle with determination and we will win". This visit showed that the union stands by its dismissed members and will defend their rights until the end.

The Struggle Process and the Determination of the Union

The United Metal-İş Union has decided to continue the de facto struggle against this union slaughter at Omsa Metal in addition to the legal process. Union leaders stated that they will fight on all legal and union grounds for the return of 57 dismissed workers to their jobs and the recognition of their union rights. The workers also stated that they will continue their resistance in front of the factory without saying cold and heat, and that they will continue to resist until they get their rights.

This incident has once again highlighted the obstacles to the right to unionize in Turkey and the resistance of employers to union organizing. The resistance of the United Metalworkers Union at Omsa Metal is an important example of the Turkish labor movement's struggle for trade union rights.