The factory management dumped manure in front of the workers' action tent.

In the Velimeşe Organized Industrial Zone located in the Ergene district of Tekirdağ, factory workers began to protest against their dismissals by Star Kitchen and Furniture Accessories Industry Trade Inc. and the employer's failure to conduct the collective bargaining process. The workers, who set up tents in front of the factory to demonstrate, encountered a pile of manure dumped by the factory management upon their arrival.

"THEY LEFT EVERY HAND WE EXTENDED IN THE AIR"

Günay Özden, the President of the Turkish Metal Union Kapaklı Branch, stated that the court informed them on October 24 that they were the authorized union. After the definitive authorization decision, he mentioned that they sent an invitation to meet with Starax executives to start collective bargaining negotiations, saying, "Every time we extended a hand to reach an agreement, they left it in the air. After the authorization decision, we set up our tent in front of the factory to support our members working at Starax and started our protests."

"THE LAST ACTION OVERFLOWED THE CUP"

Özden reported that their protests have been attempted to be obstructed many times, stating, "They built walls with trucks inside the factory to prevent us from communicating with our members. They installed sound systems to ensure our voices did not reach our members in the service areas after work, and they erected fences in our area under the guise of landscaping. No matter what ugly behavior they exhibit to prevent us from reaching our members, we have never diminished as much as they have, and we continue to defend our rights through democratic means. However, their last actions have overflowed the cup. To break the protest of the workers, the Starax management dumped manure in the area where our protest tent is located. This is clearly a crime against workers, laborers, and humanity. Respect for labor and workers' rights is indispensable for democracy. Here, the Starax management not only disrespects workers' rights in the workplace but also insults the resistance and dignity of the workers by dumping manure in the protest area. We absolutely do not accept this behavior," he stated.

Özden indicated that they would file a criminal complaint regarding the matter.

"THE PROTEST WILL CONTINUE UNTIL A CONTRACT IS SIGNED"

Özden noted that ten workers were dismissed a week ago, and today four more were fired, saying, "When we went to our protest tent, we encountered such rudeness. The reaction of all employees is that this behavior is unacceptable towards humanity, labor, and employers. It is inappropriate and has no acceptable side. Following our reaction, the pile of manure was removed by the employer. We sent the Collective Bargaining Agreement to the employer through a notary. There is no counterpart in front of us. The protests of our dismissed friends continue in the protest tent. They will continue until they are reinstated and a contract is signed."

"WE HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH INHUMAN TREATMENT"

Uysal Altundağ, the General President of the Turkish Metal Union, stated the following in a statement on his social media account:

"'We have seen a lot in the struggle for rights and freedoms, and we have faced great obstacles in union struggles. However, we have never encountered such inhumane treatment that would not befit labor, laborers, or any human being. What does not kill us makes us stronger. We will resist stubbornly, and we will win. We will win, and humanity will win.