Police Intervention to the Resistance in Altındağ Municipality: Workers' Struggle and Strong Reaction from Hizmet-Is

Ankara - The struggle for the rights of 49 workers, who were unjustly and unlawfully dismissed by Altındağ Municipality, faced a harsh intervention by the security forces on its 135th day. One worker was injured and the head of Hizmet-İş Union Ankara Branch No. 2 was detained in the intervention on Monday morning against the workers who continued their just struggle despite the labor and resistance tents they had set up were dismantled and they were removed from their protest sites. This incident was met with great reaction in labor and trade union circles.

135 Days of Resistance and Police Intervention

The 49 workers who were laid off from their jobs at Altındağ Municipality have been resisting for 135 days for their bread and dignity. Despite various obstacles, the workers, who had fought with determination, were warned by security forces to disperse from the protest site at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025.

However, the police directly intervened against the laborers who refused to give up their just demands and leave the area. As a result of this intervention, a brawl broke out and tensions rose.

One Worker Injured, Branch Head Detained

One of the dismissed members, Kadir Sağlam, was injured in the clash during the intervention. Sağlam was hospitalized after the first intervention at the scene and stitches were applied to his head.

During the same intervention, the police also detained Recep Dere, the head of Ankara Branch No. 2 of the Hizmet-İş Union, who was at the forefront of the resistance. Immediately after the incident, Hizmet-İş Union officials announced that they were closely and resolutely following both the treatment process of their injured member Kadir Sağlam and the detention of Branch President Recep Dere.

HİZMET-İŞ and HAK-İŞ Strongly Condemn Disproportionate Intervention

HAK-İŞ Confederation and its affiliated HİZMET-İŞ Union strongly condemned this disproportionate and unlawful intervention against the workers resisting in Altındağ Municipality. "We do not accept this disproportionate and unlawful intervention against laborers resisting for their bread and dignity," the union said in a statement.

Hizmet-İş Union emphasized that they stand by each and every one of their members who have been wronged and will continue to do so. The union management respectfully announced to the public that they will use all administrative and legal remedies to the end. This statement was interpreted as an indication that the trade union movement would not back down in the struggle for workers' rights.

This incident at the Altındağ Municipality could be a turning point in the struggle for workers' rights in Turkey, and it remains to be seen how unions will respond to such interventions.