Koop-Sen Strike at Three Cooperatives Enters Fourth Day

Workers who received their July salaries continue their protest to have their rights restored and to reverse the dismissal of employees eligible for retirement. Today, the action was moved to the offices of the Deputy Prime Ministry, Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment.

During the protest, participants threw eggs at the ministry building and poured halloumi whey in the courtyard, chanting slogans such as “Unity, Struggle, Solidarity” and “No Despair, Resistance Continues.” Some union officials joined the demonstration to show their support.

CTP Secretary-General Erkut Şahali and several CTP deputies visited the striking workers at the protest site.

Güröz: “We Will Sacrifice Neither Our Rights Nor Our Colleagues”

Koop-Sen President Mehmetali Güröz told the press that the union will continue strikes and protests until workers’ rights are restored and the dismissal decisions are revoked.

Güröz criticized management for failing to take responsibility and called for resignations. Addressing the ministry, he stated, “We no longer want appointed officials; we want the cooperatives to be run by cooperative members themselves. We want the Cooperative Central Bank to support its cooperatives.”

He accused the Central Bank’s management of neglecting the subsidiaries for years and said that recently they have done everything possible to reverse workers’ rights and ensure dismissals.

Güröz claimed that the chairman of the board told him, “I must follow what the authorities say.” He responded, “If you must follow the authorities’ orders, resign and go home; show that honor. Management should operate according to the law.”

Questioning the oversight role, Güröz asked, “We have been on strike for four days; where is the Cooperative Companies Registrar?” He emphasized that the Registrar should supervise cooperatives, set visions, and resolve problems.

He added that dismissal papers for employees have been prepared and await the Registrar’s approval, calling on the Registrar, “If you are to sign, resign. Don’t sign—it doesn’t suit you.”

Güröz confirmed that the indefinite strike will continue on Monday, warning, “If the Cooperative Companies Registrar signs the dismissal papers, we will storm the Registrar’s office.”

“We thought they could divide us by paying our salaries, but we have remained united. We will sacrifice neither our rights nor our colleagues,” Güröz said, affirming that the struggle will continue. He stressed that they want the cooperatives to survive.