Rubber Workers Strike in Turkey

4,000 tyre manufacturing workers have responded to ICEM’s (International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions) Turkish trade union call to strike, after last-minute proposals by the employers’ association failed to avoid the action taking place.

The four manufacturing works affected by the strike action, in the Turkish cities of Izmit and Adapazari, are operated by Goodyear, Bridgestone and Pirelli. News sources state that the companies are resisting demands for three bi-yearly salary increases at the rate of Turkish inflation, following an initial wage increase of 12%.

Abdullah Karacan, President of Lastik-İş – the Turkish trade union – states that “The salary offer made by employers is far from meeting the work performed by tyre workers. Our decisiveness for gaining our demands is resolute.”

In the meantime, the two Goodyear plants – manufacturing auto, light truck, truck, bus, heavy and agricultural equipment tyres – the Bridgestone Brisca Sabanci plant – manufacturing auto, truck and heavy equipment tyres – and the Pirelli auto and truck tyre plant remain strike-affected.