The relationship between trade union and politics in Turkey: The period after 1980

The Trade Unions, which are pressure groups, use politics as a mean to protect workers' rights and interests. They fight for political power for the interest of the trade unions. In this sense, the unions are in a constant communication and interaction with politics. This thesis examines the post-1980 unionpolitics relation in Turkey. The years in between 1980-2002 are called as the first period and the years after 2002 as the second period and the attitudes and behaviours of the unions are tried to be revealed. In doing so, the discourse of the trade unions and the leaders of trade union are studied during political and trade union events, which were intensely publicised. In addition, many trade unions have been trying to explain the union-politics relationship.