Resistance of Fernas miners

Miners, who survived a mining disaster 10 years ago, are in a tough resistance today.

On May 13, 2014, 301 workers lost their lives in a fire that broke out in the Soma coalmine in Manisa province, as a result of gross negligence and manipulations that disregarded safety measures. Many of the miners who survived this disaster are working in Fernas Holding's Soma mine today. The Independent Mining Labor Union shows with concrete examples * that the same fatal negligence and manipulations continue in Fernas Holding mines today. It says says there shouldn't be a 301 again. It demands that serious measures be taken.

But Fernas does not want unionized workers in his business...At the beginning of August, a group of miners in Fernas were fired one after another, openly on the grounds that they were union members. The union's repeated applications for negotiation over two weeks were rejected.

In the end, the miners expressed their solidarity with their fired friends and declared that they were exercising their "right to refrain from work". The demands were:

1. Occupational health and safety measures must be fully implemented.
2. Salaries should be adjusted according to the Soma average and bank promotions should be paid.
3. Workers who were fired because of their union membership should be reinstated.

Despite the gendarmerie's unlawful obstructions, use of violence and mass detentions, the miners kept watch uninterruptedly in the mine area and in front of the Fernas enterprise for a long time.

Don't be a slave, be independent!  We are here to overcome fears!!

Finally, from September 25 to September 1, they walked barefoot from Manisa-Soma to the capital Ankara.

They went to the Turkish Grand National Assembly and conveyed their demands to the MPs. The Independent Mine Workers Union published the "301 Let's Not Let It Happen Again..." report, which reveals the gross negligence experienced in the mine.* The report was prepared by a group consisting of experienced miners, mining engineers, occupational health and safety experts, lawyers, and union organization experts.

After waiting for a long time, the miners set out to hand-deliver the report to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. However, before they could reach the ministry, they were blocked, beaten and one of the miners fell ill and was hospitalized...

Thereupon, on October 14, the miners decided not to leave the point where they were blocked, not to speak, and to go on a hunger strike.

Hunger strike

On the second day of the hunger strike, 34 of them were detained. Their statements were taken until the morning. Finally, on the 52nd day of the resistance and the 3rd day of the hunger strike, Fernas accepted the negotiation. The miners suspended their hunger strike as of 00:00. The next day, they departed from Ankara to Soma at 12:00.

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* Please click for the content of the union report.

Breaking News:

15:33 - 20 October 24, X, the following news appeared on @bagimsizmadenis account:

"As a result of 53 days of struggle and 3 days of negotiations, an agreement was reached between Fernas workers and management. This result is our gift to all our friends who are #Miners'Ses. May it be good for the entire working class and our laboring people."

The compromise reached as a result of negotiations: