Turkish workers fight ASD Laminat, go on strike
According to the union, the company refused to engage in a social dialogue with trade unionists, denied them the right to collective bargaining negotiations and has even dismissed all its workers who are union members in the last five years. These labour violations were in retaliation to AGAC-IS’s successful organising of workers at ASD Laminat in 2017 which gave it the legal authority to start collective bargaining negotiations with the company.
In June 2022, after a five-year legal battle, a court favoured AGAC-IS ordering ASD Laminat to start collective bargaining negotiations with the union. But instead of complying with the court order, ASD Laminat dismissed with impunity 180 workers who are identified with the union.
Prior to the decision to go on strike, the union used all available conciliatory means to persuade the company to collectively negotiate with them. They even sent a letter to the company explaining that the refusal to enter into collective bargaining negotiations with a legitimate and recognised union is in violation of the Forest Stewardship Certification (FSC) standards. Türkiye’s certification body, BM Trada was also notified of this.
With the company still clinging to its anti-union schemes, AGAC-IS decided to go on strike to once and for all end the gross violation of workers’ rights at ASD Laminat. The union will also file an official complaint before the FSC International and the Assurance Services International (ASI).
ASD Laminat is a decorative laminate manufacturer supplying to more than 65 countries across the globe. It is a holder of Chain of Custody Certification from the FSC.