Turkey: 50,000 in Ankara to support Tekel workers as the country moves towards general strike

Last Saturday about 50,000 people gathered in Ankara to show their support and solidarity with the Tekel workers. Meanwhile the four confederations of trade unions gathered on Monday and decided to declare an indefinite general strike for 26 May 2010.

Dear Editor,

I would like to update you a bit about the situation in Turkey with respect to Tekel and other issues. The Tekel struggle has entered a new phase now. Last Saturday about 50,000 people gathered in Ankara to show their support and solidarity with the Tekel workers. It was a marvellous meeting. But the government is refusing to take any action.

Meanwhile the four confederations of trade unions gathered on Monday and decided to declare an indefinite general strike for 26 May 2010.

At the same time in Turkey 50 army generals and admirals were taken to court and prison for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government in 2003. The trial is called the Ergenekon Trial. I think this incident shows a clear friction within the Turkish ruling class. Remember Lenin’s four conditions for the revolution; this is one of them I believe.

I also observe from the media the Lufthansa strike in Germany, the British airways strike, the general strikes in Greece, the workers’ demonstrations in Spain. What I see in these developments is a wave of strikes and general strikes in Europe and all over the world.

As Alan Woods clearly points out in one of his speeches, "we have entered a new and different period in history”. This will be a period of the oppressed masses, of the working class.

Comradely,
The Hook

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