The transformation of the labor market and the reconstruction of workers' mobilization : the experience of the spring demonstration of 1989

Abstract

This thesis examines the workers' mobilization in Turkey in 1989 which is known as the 'Spring Demonstrations'. The salient characteristics of the demonstrations are that it was the first mass workers' mobilization after the military intervention in 1980. Workers found different types of demonstrations in order to show their grievances. The experience of the workers during the transformation of the labor market and during the mobilization is the main focus of the thesis. The economic transformation process began in 1980 with the proclamation of the January 24 decisions and accompanied by the military intervention in September 12.The January 24 decisions represent a transition from import substitution industrialization which had been the prevailing strategy for the twenty years, to export-led growth. The economic transformation changed the lives of the workers radically since the labor market began to be dominated by low wages, low job security, flexible employment, de-unionization, military rules, rise of informal sector, privatization and unemployment. This thesis evaluates this transformation process which led the workers to mobilize by giving the focus on their perceptions and experiences. 1989 also saw the beginning of a widespread labor movement triggered by the blocking of collective bargaining brought about by the uncooperative stances of employer and employee unions. Surprisingly, given the spontaneous, local, and autonomous nature of the demonstrations, they resulted in not insignificant improvements in the working conditions of the masses. Given the ban on the right to strike in this period, the so-called 'Spring Demonstrations' differed from the previous labor movements. Yet workers found many ways to air their grievances within gaps in the law or, sometimes, contrary to the law. Their actions were colorful, brave, and creative: they went to the hospital collectively, boycotted meals, grew mustaches and beards, symbolically sold their children to illustrate their inability to meet family obligations or sued for mass divorce claiming they were unable to maintain a family. In this thesis, workers' agency, their strategy, cultural practices, resistance tactics, and 'cultures of solidarity' among workers are evaluated in cultural terms inspired by E.P. Thompson.