Turkish aviation union wins bargaining rights at ground handling company

July 1, 2011

An aviation union in Turkey has won bargaining rights at a ground handling company based at Istanbul airport, following a long and bitter struggle for union recognition.

Some 900 people employed at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport Investment Development and Operation Inc (ISG) and represented by the ITF-affiliated union Hava-Is will benefit from this resounding success; the company, which has finally recognised the union, must now negotiate on pay and working conditions.

ISG management and Hava-Is had since May 2009 been engaged in a battle over union recognition at the company’s Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport; 351 workers were dismissed during the dispute.

Hava-Is president Atilay Ayçin said: “It is not the union leadership but the rank-and-file members at ISG who must be congratulated for remaining so steadfast. More than two years ago we were granted recognition by the government authorities after we signed up more than half of the workers. ISG management has appealed against this decision, on various grounds, and court proceedings caused delay. Such an anti-democratic and cumbersome process gives employers ample time to obstruct the union’s activities.

“During this long battle a total of 351 ISG workers, who were exercising their fundamental right to organise by joining Hava-Is, were dismissed. Our struggle will continue until all dismissed workers who are willing to be reinstated are back at work. I call on ISG managers to re-think their position immediately and start bargaining a collective agreement for ISG employees in good faith and in a constructive manner.”