VDM Yirmibesoglu, G: Trade Unionism in Turkey:Self-Understanding

TRADE UNIONISM IN TURKEY: SELF-UNDERSTANDING OF THE LABOR UNION TÜRK- AND ITS ROLE IN SOCIETY AND POLITICS (1950-1982) This book discusses the trade unionism and working class movement in Turkey as well as the largest labor union, Türk- , in relation to its involvement in the political arena. It underlines the lack of class identity among the workers. The main argument of the book is that Türk- was not established by the will and efforts of the workers. Another major discussion point of the book is the non-partisanship policy of Türk- . In the book, it has been argued that Türk- participated quite actively in the political sphere until the 1980 military intervention. However, the limits of this participation were widely drawn by the major political parties of the country. This study defends that there are problems stemming from the lack of class consciousness among the Türk- workers, the hierarchal structure of Türk- and the profit oriented approaches of the political parties towards Türk- .