Teachers' views and expectations about trade unions (a qualitative study)

The aim of this research is to determine that the teachers working in the central four districts of Diyarbakır (Bağlar, Kayapınar, Sur, Yenişehir); The aim is to determine the views and expectations of teachers regarding unions. The research was designed with a case study, one of the qualitative research methods. A total of 21 teachers participated in the research. 14 of the participants in the research are union members and 7 of them are teachers who are not members of any union. Purposive sampling method was preferred while forming the study group of the research. Accordingly, the study group of education unions, which has a branch in Diyarbakır, was recruited. The data in the research were obtained by interview. For this, a semi-structured interview form was used. The data collected in the research were analyzed by content analysis. In this study, each question asked about teachers' views and expectations about unions was categorized and interpreted within itself. As a result of the research, it has been determined that the most important factors for teachers to be members of trade unions are their organizational status and the protection of their personal rights. It has been determined that the relationship between the unions and the political institution is effective in the negative attitude of the teachers towards the union organization and that there is "fear and anxiety of what will happen to me if I become a member of the union". Contribution of trade unions to democratization according to teachers' views; the existence of unions, the coexistence of different ideas and the necessity of polyphony. It has been determined that the teachers who are union members are generally satisfied with the working conditions of the unions to protect the rights of the workers, while the teachers who are not members of the unions find the working conditions of the unions insufficient. Teachers' positive views on unions include the fact that unions are seen as part of an organizational life, while their negative view includes the existence of a relationship between unions and political institutions. It has been determined that the political views of the teachers are determinant in their membership to the unions. It was concluded that especially the teachers who are not members of unions see unions as a tool used for nepotism. It has been determined that the teachers have a positive view of the union and the political institution relationship, but they are uncomfortable with being treated as a political party representative. It has been determined that the unions do not adequately struggle against the problems related to education, and that they need to find solutions especially for the problems of teachers and students. The most important expectations of teachers from unions are; emphasized the necessity of increasing the efforts of unions to protect and develop their personal rights, and that unions should not engage in politics like the representatives of political parties. Apart from this, they stated that unions should determine a more active policy and make more efforts for economic and social rights in line with the wishes and expectations of teachers. In particular, the expectations of the teachers who are not members of the unions from the unions are listed as the need for the unions to take a more active role in order to keep the education system and especially the examination system constantly changing, and to use the power they have in their hands in taking political and administrative decisions.