UAW: UPS should ‘deliver justice, not abuse’ in Turkey

DETROIT -- UAW workers and other concerned citizens in Detroit will be part of a global protest against United Parcel Service, which is subjecting its workforce in Turkey to firings, physical violence and other abuse for trying to organize a union.

 

The protest, which is one of 45 happening around the world on Sept. 1, will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the UPS facility at 535 Griswold St., in Detroit.

 

The UAW has affiliated with the International Transport Workers Federation, which is sponsoring the worldwide effort to get the parcel delivery service to respect Turkish workers’ rights to organize a union. It demands that UPS “deliver justice, not abuse” to its workers in Turkey.

 

“We stand by the workers in Turkey who have the right to join a union without being fired or being intimidated by management or its subcontractors,” said UAW President Bob King. “We want UPS to take responsibility for this situation and to stop being complicit with the police in Turkey who are physically assaulting workers.”

 

At least 157 workers have been fired for pro-union activity at UPS facilities and at its subcontractors. Other U.S.-based unions supporting this effort include the Teamsters, Transportation Workers Union, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the International Longshoremen’s Association. Aside from Detroit, the UAW is organizing protests in Louisville, Ky., at 743 E. Broadway, and in Chicago at 47 W. Division St.

 

“As UAW members, we are proud to help other workers – no matter where they may be – win justice in the workplace,” said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Dennis Williams. “UPS needs to wake up and make sure its workers are treated with dignity and fairness.”