Trade Union Democracy Feast in Çorlu:

Çorlu Branch, one of the newly established and rapidly organizing branches of Türk Metal Union, held its first Ordinary General Assembly with wide participation as part of the tradition of trade union democracy. Türk Metal Union General Chairman Uysal Altundağ also attended the General Assembly held on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

The General Assembly began with the formation of the Divisional Committee that would preside over the meeting. As a result of the voting, General Chairman Uysal Altundağ was elected as the Head of the Divisional Committee. While Deputy Chairman Mürsel Öcal and General Secretary Taliphan Kıymaz served as Deputy Heads of the Divisional Committee, Disa Automotive workplace delegate Ayfer Şahin and Trakya Döküm workplace delegate Bilgin Üzmez were elected as Divisional Secretary members.

General Chairman Altundağ: "We Are a Union That Says Türk Metal Should Be Wherever There Are Workers"

Making the General Assembly opening speech after being elected as the Head of the Divisional Committee, Türk Metal Union General Chairman Uysal Altundağ began by highlighting the union's successful collective bargaining agreements, social facilities offered to members, training activities, and union struggles as examples. However, he emphasized that the real strength underlying all these successes was missing, stating that it was "the bond that the brave metal workers have formed with their union, that is, our unity, our togetherness."

Altundağ stated that Türk Metal's strength comes from its widespread branch network, adding that the branches operating across the country are not just signs, but are "the hope, support, voice, and refuge of the metal workers in that region." Speaking about the meaning of opening a branch in a region, Altundağ said, "It means taking ownership of that region. It means being a breath for the worker and making them feel that we are with them. Because we are a union that says Türk Metal should be wherever there are workers," and stated that the union aims to be close to its members and solve their problems as quickly as possible. Emphasizing their belief that the true strength of a union is measured by how close it is to its members, Altundağ stated that they grow stronger as they increase the number of branches, and they become even more powerful as they gather with their members, listen to their problems, and produce solutions together, solidifying their unity and transforming into a "steel wrist, a huge heart," and that "as they shoulder together, their strength multiplies, their voice gets louder, and they become indestructible."

"Çorlu Will Be One of Türk Metal's Strongest Castles"

Stating that every workplace and every branch established by Türk Metal is a "castle," General Chairman Altundağ said that the Çorlu Branch is Türk Metal's new castle in Thrace. Emphasizing that this castle is the symbol of unity and the name of their faith in the future, Altundağ stated that when they established this branch, they did not just put a table and a chair; they put their determination to struggle, their faith, and their labor into it. Stating that the enthusiasm and excitement in the General Assembly hall already show how Türk Metal will grow in Çorlu, Altundağ expressed his belief that today is just a beginning but this beginning will also be a sign of a great rise. He stated that the Çorlu Branch will not only be the voice of the workers in this region but will also carry hope to all corners of Thrace, lead new organizing efforts, and be at the forefront of new struggles, adding that just like Kütahya, Manisa, and Bursa, Çorlu will be one of Türk Metal's strongest castles.

"We Are Not a Union That Will Yield to Negativity"

Emphasizing the vital importance of organizing for workers, General Chairman Altundağ stressed that Türk Metal wants organizing so that workers can live a humane life. He stated that there are still thousands of metal workers in this country who are condemned to the minimum wage, and tens of thousands of people who are deprived of social rights, insecure, and subjected to flexible work, adding that Türk Metal exists against this injustice. He stated that as the largest union in Turkey, their most important responsibility is to change this picture.

Altundağ stated that despite all kinds of obstacles encountered, the union has planted its flag in many workplaces and signed many collective bargaining agreements. He stated that the union struggle was not waged in a garden of roses without thorns, but sometimes against bosses who respected union rights in their own countries but forgot that respect when it came to Turkey, who saw their people only as low cost, and begrudged them the right to a humane life. He added that they struggled with employers who objected to authorization even in workplaces where the ministry gave authorization and delayed the legal process, and sometimes they struggled with those who threatened workers and turned their backs on workers, but they never took a step back in any of them, and they never gave up, because, he emphasized, "we are not a union that will yield to negativity."

"We Paved the Way for the Trade Union Movement in Turkey, We Were Pioneers"

Stating that despite difficult conditions, the union organized and signed agreements that were talked about for days, Altundağ continued his speech by mentioning the activities carried out by the Çorlu Branch since its establishment. He explained that although the Çorlu Branch was a newly established branch, it immediately started organizing efforts, obtained the authorization certificate within a month, and in addition, completed the collective bargaining process in 3 important workplaces, Alümina, Teknik Alüminyum, and Hobi Egzoz, signing agreements that were met with enthusiasm by the members. Altundağ stated that the members showed intense participation in training activities, were in the front rows at congresses, and benefited from the social facilities, and will continue to benefit from them in the future. He said that with all these actions, they paved the way for the trade union movement in Turkey and were pioneers. He stated that they strive for the happiness, rights, and justice of the members and will continue to do so tirelessly, without getting weary or bored, adding that all these are well-deserved for the members, like mother's milk. Also mentioning the new collective bargaining process that will begin in September, General Chairman Altundağ concluded his speech by wishing the General Assembly success.

Protocol and Guests:

Following the General Chairman's speech, Çorlu District Governor Murat Eren, Çorlu Mayor Ahmet Sarıkurt, Tekirdağ Bar Association Chairman Attorney Egemen Gürcün, Hüppe Turkey General Manager Ömer Kalander, and Disa Automotive General Manager Koray Kuru took the floor and wished success for the General Assembly proceedings.

The General Assembly proceedings continued with the unanimous acceptance of the Activity Report by the General Assembly delegates. In this section, Erdal Türker from Sistem Alüminyum workplace and Buket Torkan from E.G.O. Elektrikli Aletler workplace also took the floor and addressed the General Assembly hall.

Among the important guests attending the General Assembly were business world representatives such as Çakıllı Mayor Mehmet Bayram, Çorlu State Hospital Chief Physician Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Doğan, BSH Industrial Relations Manager Çağlar Semih Güder, Trakya Döküm Factory Deputy Manager Birol Barut, Kale Kilit Factory Director Kadir Bozdemir, Human Resources Manager Hüseyin Gürcü, Hobi Şirketler Grubu Chairman of the Board Murat Morgül, Teknik Alüminyum Production and R&D Director Bilal Demir, Hüppe Turkey Finance and Human Resources Director Selim Devran, Frigoblock Administrative Affairs and Human Resources Officer Erol Yıldırım, as well as representatives from many non-governmental organizations and political parties, Branch Chairmen of Unions affiliated with TÜRK-İŞ, Chairmen from other branches of Türk Metal Union, and many members from workplaces where the union is organized in Thrace. The wide participation showed the importance of the General Assembly and the union's strength in the region.

Election with a Single List:

In the elections held with a single list, the new management of the Çorlu Branch was determined. Caner Alözkan was elected as Branch Chairman, Mustafa Özkılıç as Branch Secretary, Ufuk Altınorak as Branch Finance Secretary, Oğuz Birol as Branch Organizing Secretary, and Sercan Meşe as Branch Education Secretary. The new management will struggle for the rights of metal workers in the Çorlu and Thrace region.