March 15, 2006

Another work related murder occurred at Tuzla Shipyards when Nurdoğan ÇELİK, a worker for the contracting firm Kayi Denizcilik fell from the scaffolding. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition but since the hospital did not have the required equipment, he was later transferred to another hospital. After spending four days under intensive care, Mr. Nurdoğan ÇELİK lost his life on March 14th.

To protest this latest murder, the union, Limter-iş, presently organizing the dock and shipyard workers called for a march, which was attended by many workers employed at the ship building facilities. The march started at 7:30AM and workers stopped all traffic on the road to protest the killing of their fellow worker. The workers carried signs reading, “Stop Occupational Murders.” They chanted, “Workers Unite to Stop Murders, We don’t want to die, “and, “We will Win by Struggling.” When the police tried to open the roads to traffic, the marching workers stopped them and did not allow ‘business as usual.’

Cem Dinç, the president of Limter-iş union spoke to the workers in front of the plant where Nurdoğan ÇELİK lost his life. He called attention to the frequency of deaths occurring at the shipyards and said, by organizing, uniting and support towards the campaign of ‘spring preparation’ the workers would be able to make the bosses sit down at the table for negotiations. The campaign of ‘spring preparation’ is underway on the labor front for the renewal of contracts coming up soon for may shipyard plants.

Although the gates of the plant were open, the workers refused to report for work until the march and the speech was over. When the action was over, the union and the workers left a wreath reading, “Enough!” at the door of the plant.

M.B.