KESK Delivers a Strong Labor Address from England: Turkey and Middle East Agenda at UNISON

LONDON – Ayfer Koçak, Co-President of the Confederation of Public Employees' Unions (KESK), attended the annual conference of UNISON, the UK's largest public sector trade union, to articulate the current issues facing labor, the struggle for democracy, and the challenges for workers in Turkey and the Middle East on an international trade union platform.

The annual conference, held with the participation of approximately 2000 delegates representing UNISON's 1.3 million members in the UK, also hosted public sector unions from Colombia, the Philippines, Kenya, and the USA. It was noted that trade unionists invited from Palestine could not attend the conference due to Israel's closure of exits from the West Bank.

KESK Co-President Ayfer Koçak delivered two separate speeches during the conference: one in the international trade union movement session and another in the session on the general course of public services worldwide. In her panel discussions, Koçak conveyed her views on the situation in working life and the trade union sphere in Turkey, addressing significant issues such as:

• Status of KHK-Dismissed Members: The grievances of KESK members dismissed by Statutory Decrees (KHK) during the State of Emergency (OHAL) period and their demands for reinstatement.
• Forthcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Process starting August 1: The upcoming 8th Term Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process and KESK's organized actions and demands within this framework.
• Impact of Developments in Turkey and the Middle East on Workers: The adverse effects of regional and global developments on the living conditions of workers.
• Process Regarding the Kurdish Issue: The impact of political and social processes concerning the Kurdish issue in Turkey on the trade union sphere.
• Pressures on Municipalities and Trustee Administrations: The pressures faced by CHP and DEM Party municipalities, which became more visible with the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, and the problems created by the appointed trustee administrations.
• Effects of Trustee Administrations on Workers: Job insecurity and other grievances caused by trustee administrations, especially affecting municipal workers.

In addition to her panel speeches, Koçak held bilateral meetings with UNISON's General Secretary, representatives, delegates, and international delegations. These discussions focused on strengthening international trade union solidarity and identifying common areas of struggle.

KESK's active participation in this international platform is regarded as part of its efforts to enhance the integration and solidarity of Turkey's labor struggle with the global trade union movement.