15th Ordinary General Assemblies of KOOP-IS Union in Gaziantep and Adana

Gaziantep/Adana - KOOP-İŞ Union, affiliated to TÜRK-İŞ, one of the leading confederations of the Turkish labor movement, successfully held its 15th Ordinary General Assemblies in Gaziantep and Adana branches, showing its organized power and determination once again. The General Assemblies were attended by a large trade union delegation led by TÜRK-İŞ Vice President and KOOP-İŞ Union President Eyüp Alemdar. During the meetings, the union's struggle during the difficult pandemic, earthquake and economic crisis periods was emphasized, while the government's attitude, especially during the public collective labor agreements (CBA) process, was harshly criticized.

Unity and Solidarity Messages from Gaziantep and Adana Branches

Mehmet Akif Sarıca, President of the Gaziantep Branch of theKOOP-İŞ Union, emphasized the importance of union struggle and unity in his speech at the opening of the general assembly. Sarıca said, "From this podium, I would like to thank all our members, our organization and our General President Mr. Eyüp Alemdar for adding strength to the power of labor. We went through a difficult period; but we did not take a step back neither in the pandemic, nor in the earthquake, nor in the economic crisis. We did not only unionize in this city, we represented our unity, solidarity and human dignity. In the new period, we will continue on our way with the same determination and the same consciousness; because Koop-İş is the true home of the laborer."

Adana Branch President Rasim Mart, in his speech evaluating his four-year term of office, said, "Despite the pandemic, earthquake and all economic difficulties, we did not leave our struggle for a moment. We stood by our members under all circumstances." Stating that the branch has achieved growth momentum by increasing the number of members, Mart emphasized that this success is the result of the joint efforts of the entire organization.

Fierce Criticism and Emphasis on Struggle on Public CBA by General President Eyüp Alemdar

Speaking at both general assemblies, TÜRK-İŞ Vice President and KOOP-İŞ Trade Union President Eyüp Alemdar emphasized that KOOP-İŞ Trade Union maintained its organized power and continued to grow despite the pandemic, February 6 earthquakes and severe economic crisis in the last four years. Alemdar stated that they lost 74 members especially in the earthquake disaster and as a union, they quickly delivered aid to the region and stood by their members and stated that they left these difficult days behind by working hand in hand.

Dedicating a significant part of his speeches to the Public Collective Labor Agreements Framework Protocol process, which concerns more than 600,000 public workers, Eyüp Alemdar described the government's withdrawal of its initial raise offer at the negotiating table as "a great injustice". Alemdar said, "I have seen hundreds of contract processes throughout my life, but this is the first time I have encountered such a situation. This attitude of the government is a great injustice to public workers. It is not possible for us to accept it."

Stating that KOOP-İŞ members participated at the forefront of the action calendar initiated by TÜRK-İŞ after the blockage of the collective bargaining process, Alemdar emphasized the determined stance of the union by saying, "The flags of Koop-İş marched at the forefront, I am proud of our members. This time we will be in the squares as managers, we will sit in Kızılay, we will not get up until we get our rights." Alemdar also drew attention to the injustice in the income tax system and called for a fair system against the heavy tax burden on laborers. "Those who earn less should be taxed less and those who earn more should be taxed more. We are determined in this fight."

Social Unionism and New Investment Movements for Members fromKOOP-İŞ

Eyüp Alemdar, in his speeches, gave a wide coverage to KOOP-İŞ Union's achievements in the field of organizing, as well as its vision of social unionism and recent investments. Stating that the new headquarters building in Ankara and the hotel investment purchased in Istanbul are important steps to meet the needs of the members, Alemdar said that a new facility investment is underway in the Antalya region, where members can relax and spend time with their families, as well as to carry out training activities in the winter period.

Mentioning the activities of KOOP-İŞ in the field of social responsibility with the free online education project for the children of members, Alemdar called for participation in the training programs and said, "We must benefit from this system for the future of our children."

The Union's Growing Strength and Future Goals

At the end of his speeches, Alemdar emphasized that KOOP-İŞ is the largest union in its line of business in the country and said, "As of today, with 121,987 members, we are the first in our line of business, second in the TÜRK-İŞ Confederation and fifth among all unions. This success is the joint work of all of us" and thanked the entire organization. Alemdar said, "In the second century of our Republic, we will work with all our strength to bring the laborers to living conditions worthy of human dignity. The hardworking workers of this country will surely achieve the prosperity they deserve."

After the speeches, the elections of the members of the management, supervisory and disciplinary boards for the new term were held in Gaziantep and Adana branches. The general assemblies ended with the wish that the general assemblies would be beneficial to the working life and the entire union organization, while wishing success to the new friends who took office after the elections.