TEKEL workers again in Ankara
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The TEKEL workers who had realised a 78 days long resistance mainly in Ankara, which became the agenda of the last months, and who had gone back to their home towns to collect new power to continue with their resistance met again on April 1 at Ankara. The TEKEL workers were supported by many unions, political parties, platforms and democratic mass organisations as well as workers from different branches who have been leading a resistance, too. {divide}
The TEKEL workers and organisations supporting them gathered at Tuna Street in the morning hours and wanted to march towards Turk-Is ' General Centre. On their way they faced police barricades. The workers sat down for a sit-in in front of the barricades shouting the slogans "We can die, but we won't go back", "We are right, we will win" and "We won't be paid slaves". Due to their resistance, they managed to get through to Sakarya Square. The workers and activists of different organisations resisted against the police' intense attacks and continued to clash in the side streets to be able to get through to Sakarya Square. The workers were again in Ankara on April 2 despite the attacks of the police.
Besides, Tek Gida-Is chairman Mustafa Turkel made a speech at Sakarya Street addressing the workers and announced the action plan of the union. According to this, the workers are supposed to come to Ankara on June 3 and stay there for 2 days. On July 4, it is planned that the workers come to Ankara to stay there for 4 days. If this doesn't lead to a solution, TEKEL workers will stay in Ankara from the beginning of August on together with their families and children for an unlimited period.
The TEKEL workers became angry and showed their rage as the union determined an action plan after months and tries to lull the resistance. The police quickly gathered to help the unionists who became a target of the workers. While the police kidnapped the unionists, the workers wanted to march towards the main office of Turk-Is where the unionists hided. The workers shouting the slogans "We don't want a Turk-Is that sold itself" and "Down with the union masters" were again attacked by the police. As a result of the attacks with pepper gas and pressurized water, some of the workers were injured and arrested.