BRUSSELS, Belgium (May 26)—Turkish tire workers union Lastik-Is has claimed victory in a dispute about the pay and conditions of around 4,000 workers at six tire plants in Turkey, according to the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions.
The plants are operated by Goodyear, Pirelli S.p.A, Brisa Bridgestone Sabanci—a joint venture between Bridgestone Corp. and Sabanci Group—and Turkish firm Anlas Anadolu Lastik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.
According to ICEM, the union negotiated significant improvements in terms of pay and conditions, while resisting a series of concessionary demands from the employers. The two-year deal includes inflation-linked wage increases, lump sum payments of about $2,300 and three extra paid holidays.
The agreement was reached the day after a Turkish Supreme Court overruled an earlier government decree outlawing a planned tire workers strike on grounds of national security.