Workers resisted against layoffs at the Smart Solar factory, which produces for solar power plants in Izmir's Aliağa district. In the factory, where 7 workers were first laid off, the employment contracts of 74 more workers were terminated, according to the statement of DİSK/Enerji-Sen. While the laid-off workers set up a resistance tent in front of the factory, the workers who came off the shift supported their friends in the resistance with slogans. A statement made in front of the factory under the leadership of DİSK/Enerji-Sen and United Metal-İş reacted to the layoffs.
Addressing the workers, United Metal-İş Chairman Özkan Atar argued that the employer was trying to prevent union organization and workers' struggle to seek their rights. Emphasizing that workers are fighting for their dignity as well as their economic and democratic rights, Atar called for unity and solidarity.
“WE WILL NOT BE THE SHADOW OF THE BOSSES”
Stating that they will continue the struggle to protect the rights of the workers, Atar said, "There is only one thing we want from you. You will not break your unity and solidarity, you will not compromise your honor and dignity."
Referring to the action of a police officer who ended his life in Ankara, Atar said, "What was he holding a banner in his hand? 'Not for money, but for my honor.' Of course, we are fighting this fight for our economic rights and our democratic rights. But we will leave an honorable page here where we can look up to our children in the future. We will not be the shadow of the bosses."
“THEY MAKE MONEY BY NOT GIVING THE WORKERS THE RAISE THEY DESERVE”
Stating that the wage increases resulting from the collective bargaining agreement were not implemented, Atar argued that the employer was trying to gain economic gain by postponing the raises that should be paid to the workers.
Atar said, "Do not ask for the raise in January. Do not ask for fairness in the new term collective bargaining agreement. So, what do you want?" He reacted to the employer's attitude by saying.
Stating that the 19.7 percent wage increase has not been implemented, Atar said, "When will it be implemented? A year and a half later. In a year and a half, the inflation of basic consumer goods for workers in the industrial cities of the country is 50 percent. You will double that money by postponing it for a year and a half and not giving it. You are looking to make money from the workers' money, let alone giving them the raise they deserve."
“THEY ARE TRYING TO DISTURB YOUR UNITY”
Claiming that workers working in the factory are faced with pressure and intimidation attempts, Atar said that employer representatives are trying to weaken union solidarity by demoralizing workers.
Atar said, "Your job is not easy. You are going through a war of nerves. Those who are called superior officers are happening to you. They are trying to demoralize you. They are trying to destroy your unity with those who are filled with a lot of gossip and lies every day."
Emphasizing that the workers used their legal rights, Atar said, "People used their right not to work, arising from Article 34 of the Labor Law, by submitting their legal petitions because their collective bargaining rights were not implemented. You also accepted the legal justification of this."
“THEY THINK THEY CAN BUY EVERYONE'S HONOR”
Arguing that the employer is trying to prevent the workers' will to change unions, Atar stated that they will fight against the obstacles to union organization.
Atar said, "They think that they can buy everyone with their money, that they can buy everyone's honor by threatening them with hunger. But you told them in the strongest way possible that they cannot do this. This is a great success."
“THEY MAKE A WEALTH FROM THE WORKERS' SWEAT”
Atar, who also criticized the practices of capital groups regarding working conditions in his speech, brought up the claim that workers in a factory in Ankara had chips placed in their necks. Atar reacted with the following words: "They are attaching chips to the necks of the workers. These are capital groups that are so far removed from humanity that they consider the chips attached to those pets to be worthy of the people who fill their coffers with the sweat of the workers they have made a fortune from."
Emphasizing that they will continue to defend the rights of workers, Atar said, "We know how to speak the language they understand and we fulfill the requirements of this."
On the other hand, new layoffs took place at Smart Solar after the 7 workers who were previously laid off. DİSK/Enerji-Sen announced that the employment contracts of at least 74 workers they were able to identify in the last period were terminated. Workers continued their resistance in front of the factory, demanding that layoffs be stopped, their union preferences respected, and their rights arising from the collective bargaining agreement implemented.
