Views of trade union members and executives on functioning and problems of education trade unions active in Turkey

The trade unions negotiate with the upper managers the issues such as trade union guarantees, salaries of their members and individual securities. The trade unions win significant gains in favor of their members as a result of such functions. In this research we have tried to identify the functioning and the activities of the trade unions and their problems from the viewpoint of both trade union executives and trade union members. The question of this research is to find out the views of the trade union executives and the trade union members about the functioning and the problems of the education trade unions active in Turkey. This research aims at identifying the functioning and the problems of the education trade unions active in Turkey according to the views of the trade union members and the trade union executives. In this research which is carried out as a qualitative research the data has been collected using the semi-structured interview method and effort has been made to identify the views of the union executives and union members on the functioning, the activities and the problems of the unions. The participants of the research have been selected from among the executives and members of the biggest four trade unions active in the education sector that have the largest number of members (Eğitim – Bir – Sen, Türk Eğitim – Sen, Eğitim – Sen, Eğitim – İş) living in Istanbul. In this scope 12 union executives who are either the presidents, vice presidents or secretaries of the branches of these trade unions in Istanbul and 12 trade union members serving as teachers, assistant principles or principles in public schools have participated in this research. The data collected in the scope of this research has been analyzed using content analysis. The views of the participants have been brought together and interpreted under certain themes in this content analysis. One of the findings of the research was that the relation of the education trade unions with the political parties was seen as a significant problem. Many education employees are not affiliated with the trade unions due to fear of being labeled. The fact that the education trade unions are carrying out their activities in a divided manner is affecting the functionality of the trade unions in a negative way and is weakening these unions. Another important problem is that trade unionism is newer in Turkey compared to developed countries and positive perceptions have not been built among the employees regarding trade unions. A significant problem is that the members are affiliated to the trade unions in order to win individual gains such as promotions or appointments. Trade union members think that social activities of the trade unions are insufficient and that these should be increased and the trade union executives indicate that the level of participation of the members to the trade union activities is insufficient. Based on the results of the research it has been suggested that common platforms should be established to embrace larger sections in the education sector trade unionism in Turkey. Participation of the education employees to the trade union activities is essential for establishing a strong organization of the education employees and improving their democratic rights. It is necessary to abandon the perspective based on individual interests and efforts should be made to struggle to find solutions to the common problems of the sector instead. Besides it should be explained to the members that the trade unions are not the backyards of political parties in order to change the negative perceptions of the employees in the education sector towards the trade unions. The dividedness of the trade unions is preventing taking common decisions. Therefore the number of unions need to be decreased. Trade union representatives should go to the schools to inform the education employees on trade unions and to give information on trade union activities. The unions should use printed materials more efficiently and distribute these publications to the schools and inform the education employees about the work they carry out. It will be more accurate if the education employees are affiliated to the trade unions after they read the trade union bylaw and after they examine the gains. Key Words: Education Trade Unions, Unionism, Union Membership, Functioning of Trade Unions, Trade Union Problems