The participation level of women union members in trade union activities and the sociological factors that affect it: The case of teacher unions in Afyonkarahisar

Trade unions protect rights and benefits of employees by resolving the problems relating to work life; thus, they undertake significant missions about reaching to a more productive and reliable labour market. Although trade unions exist for women employees as well as men employees, it is observed that there are significant differences about trade union membership and active membership between them. Women make up the notable part of trade unions; however, they remain distant to trade union activities. Stating the underlying sociological factors causing it will help us understand the contribution of women employees in trade union process in Turkey. In this study, the participation level and the union loyalty of the women employees who are the members of Eğitim-Sen, Türk Eğitim-Sen and Eğitim-Bir-Sen in Afyonkarahisar have been researched and the sociological reasons preventing the women employees from taking active roles in this trade union process have been tried to determine. Key Words: Trade Union, Teacher's Unionism, Trade Union Participation, Gender, Gender Apartheid.