Contract settlement for aviation workers in Turkey

November 10, 2011

Aviation workers at a ground handling company in Turkey have won a new agreement, bringing to an end seven rounds of failed negotiations and a spate of industrial action and protest.

The agreement, which was reached between the ITF-affiliated Hava-Is union and the Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport Investment Development and Operation Inc (ISG), on 3 November covers some 900 workers. Running from 1 September 2010 to 1 July 2013, the deal provides workers with a number of benefits including: a five per cent increase in salaries, plus an additional 70TL (US$39), social benefits ranging from 100 per cent and 300 per cent and a 50 per cent extra payment for weekend and national holiday working. Improvements in the employees’ working conditions were also secured.

In addition, the agreement takes the significant step of reinstating some 114 workers, who were dismissed during the union’s dispute with the company over recognition; they will resume full-time positions in December 2011.

Atilay Ayçin, Hava-Is president, commented: “We are really pleased as this settlement will have our laid-off members back to work. We made substantial economic gains. Plus almost all of our demands on working conditions were met, including a two-day increase in annual leave entitlement. Moreover we also managed to end flexible working practices and lower wages for newly hired employees.”