The strike ended when a two-year accord was reached between the union and three global companies, Goodyear, Bridgestone and Pirelli, who jointly represented the tyre industry in talks.
The negotiations on June 13 were the first since the strike began on May 31. Talks first began on a 2008-2009 labour agreement, covering four tyre factories, in September 2007. The two parties agreed to a 14% pay increase for 2008, and an increase equalling the Turkish rate of inflation for 2009. In 2007, the Turkish rate of inflation was 8.39% and is expected to rise above that this year. Lastik-Is had sought a 12% wage rise for the first six months of 2008, with increases matching the inflation rate in each six-month period through 2009.
“We didn’t make any concessions, we preserved our contractual and work-rule provisions, and we posted substantial economic gains,” stated Lastik-Is President Abdullah Karacan. “The decisiveness of our union members at these four factories was effective and ultimately proved successful in bargaining.”
The four affected tyre manufacturing facilities include two belonging to Goodyear, in Izmit and Adapazari, one operated by Bridgestone Brisa Sabanci, a joint venture between Japan-based Bridgestone and the Turkish Sabanci Group, and one owned by Italian-based Pirelli. Both the Bridgestone and Pirelli plants are located in Izmit. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)
