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Turkish Rail Union calls for support
5 September 2008
The United Trade Union of Transport Employee (BTS) is asking for support to protect key railway sites and safeguard jobs. The BTS, an ITF affiliate, is organised within the railways. It is petitioning the Turkish government to save two stations that are under threat.
The government wants to close the two biggest train stations in Turkey, Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci, and also to cease all suburban and mainline train connections to these two stations, because of construction works. The works also include demolishing all the historical buildings, bridges and structures on the two suburban lines and provide access for global private sector to land and properties of TCDD (Turkish State Railways).
The government has pursued a course of closing stations and discontinuing routes. These policies have caused the already low market share of railways to decrease even more. Ticket offices, dining cars and docks of TCDD have been privatised.
The BTS is fighting further closure as part of the Haydarpaşa Solidarity, alongside the Chamber of Architecture, BTS and 80 other civilian social organisations.
In 2007, the Haydarpaşa Solidarity applied to the Committee of Protection of Natural and Cultural Assets to save the rail lines and structures that are under threat. This application is not concluded yet; but the works for closing the stations and rail lines are progressing very quickly.
The BTS is asking union members around the world to show support and solidarity by signing the online petition.
Turkish: → click here
English: → click here
Italian: → click here
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