IZMIT, Turkey (June 2, 2008) — More than 4,000 workers in Turkey went on strike May 31 at Bridgestone Corp., Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. and Goodyear tire factories after rejecting the tire makers' latest contract offer, according to the International Chemical Workers Union.
The two sides have been negotiating a new agreement since September, according to Lastik-Is, the Turkish labor union representing the workers. The latest offer, terms of which weren't disclosed, was rejected by 80 percent of the workers voting, Lastik-Is said.
The union is seeking a 12-percent wage increase for the first six-month period of a two-year labor agreement, and the Turkish rate of inflation for each six-month period thereafter, the union groups said. The tire companies are resisting inflation-rate payments for the three six-month periods, Lastik-Is said, and the two sides differ on various social payments customary in Turkish work schemes.
The two sides already have agreed on all other agenda items in the 59-article labor contract, Lastik-Is said.
Lastik-Is President Abdullah Karacan said the salary offer made by employers is far from meeting the work performed by tire workers.
The workers are striking the Izmit plants of Bridgestone Brisa Sabanci, Pirelli and Goodyear as well as Goodyear's second plant in Adapazari.