An example of trade uni̇on movements in Turkey: Turkey Teachers Union

With the 1961 constitution in Turkey, a libertarian environment has been formed in terms of democracy. One of the most important libertarian approaches brought by this constitution was the right of unionization to civil servants in Turkey. In the 46th article of constitution, the right of unionization for officers has been guaranteed. In parallel, the Law No. 624 on State Personnel Trade Unions of 1965 was put into effect. Turkish Teachers Union was established, like the other civil servants' unions, at the time when civil servants gained the right of unionization. Turkish Teachers Union which was established in the context of this right,granted to civil servants for the first time in Turkey, is one of the most important examples of trade union movements in Turkey. The reason for this is that Turkish Teachers Union is concerned not only with professional problems but also with important problems in Turkey. In this context, Turkish Teachers Union has focused on social problems and external impacts as well as problems in education and economy in Turkey. Interested in both professional problems and problems in Turkey, Turkish Teachers Union has undertaken great actions to find solutions to these problems and to make them heard by the ruling owners. In this study, the phenomenon of "civil society" is examined and developed in the historical and modern process. Historical development and democratic aspects of civil society organizations and these unions which is the result of this development are tried to be revealed. In the light of this information, the processes of trade unions in Turkey before and after the Republic are discussed. Then, as an example of trade union movements in Turkey, Turkish Teachers Union is focused on the importance of Turkish Teachers Union in terms of Turkish democracy and Turkish trade union movements. As one of the most important characteristics of the unions the "Democratic oppressive group" is underlined and together with the nature of the Turkish Teacher Union, its aims, ideas and actions are included. Turkish Teacher Union seeks solutions to problems in Turkey and tries to connect with the working subjects by providing examples from the democratic practice of pressure on the government. The aim of this thesis is to make an important contribution to the literature by emphasizing the importance of Turkish Teachers Union as a group of democratic pressures and interests in terms of the history of trade union movements in Turkey with its aims, ideas and actions.