Class war intensifies in Turkey.

Last week, the workers had enough of delays, postponements, excuses and unacceptable offers from the bosses in the metal sector. Ongoing negotiations bore no result as the bosses reaping billions from the labor of their workers refused to share even a minute part of their profits with those who create it. Industrialists are trying to buy time by pretending to negotiate by offering clearly unacceptable conditions to the workers.

The MESS association, the Metal Industrialists Union of Turkey, an employer group known for their very reactionary, fascistic and brutal approach to politics and labor negotiations is leading the discussions from the capitalists’ side and the United Metal Workers’ Union, Metal İş, representing the 130,000 workers on the other.

Sending a message to the bosses, last week, on January 18^th, the labor unions staged a huge meeting in the city of Bursa. The gathering went beyond any expectations and when the plaza was full even an hour before the start, organizers had to scramble to expand the area to allow more workers flowing in. The energy seen in the workers was encouraging. 4 large unions under the Türk-İş confederation of unions were the main participants in this show of force.

Earlier, MESS had announced that the workers were offered an 8% increase in the wages.  The bosses, in coordination with the Islamist government of Turkey, were using the fake numbers published by the government on inflation.  When literally everything on the market has had a price increase over 15-30% the government publishes unrealistic inflation figures with single digits.  The bosses, showing this artificially lowered numbers try to limit the wage increases.

DISK, the Confederation of Progressive Labor Unions, was also present.  Its president Arzu Çerkezoğlu attended the meeting as well as Adnan Serdaroğlu, the president of the United Metal Workers’ Union.   The presence of two major labor confederation is seen as a front being formed against the assault of the bosses.

Marching with chants of, “No peace for bosses when the workers are hungry” echoed throughout Bursa. Similar meetings were held in other places like Gebze, another industry center. In these meetings banners were held reading, “We will not be the ones paying for your crises” referring to the current severe economic crisis in Turkey.

The labor unions and their confederations rejected the so-called offer from the industrialists and decided to go on a strike on February 5^th.  A strike organized by the united confederations of labor and observed by 130,000 laborers will bring down the entire production of Turkey to a standstill.

However, the industrialists were holding their secret meetings in their offices while the workers were on the streets.  Yesterday, on January 19, they responded to the strike decision of the workers.

Including tractor maker Türk Traktör, pipe manufacturer Borusan, car manufacturer TOFAŞ, butane gas corporation AYGAZ, vehicle manufacturer Ford, announced yesterday, January 21, that they have joined forces and would go to an all-out lock-out against the workers.

The lock-out evidently has no effect since their factories will be shut down for the strike.

The negotiations are still continuing as both sides keep showing their teeth and expect the rival to take a step back.

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