BEING A WOMAN IN THE UNION MOVEMENT AS AN ISSUE OF EQUALITY: AN EVALUATION ON THE PERSPECTIVES OF HAK-İŞ FEMALE MANAGERS

Authors : Dilek Keleş

Pages : 9-24

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Publication Date : 2024-07-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Women’s relationship with trade unions in Turkey has always been limited. The trade union movement has developed in a male dominant manner; the mentality that ‘trade unionism is a man thing’ has always been prevalent in the masculine culture of unions. This is related to the sexist attitude, as a representation of the patriarchal society. While sexism is prevalent in all aspects of the trade union movement, it is mostly apparent in decision-making mechanisms. Accordingly, the representation rate of women in the central administrations of labor confederations and affiliated unions in Turkey is 7.4%. However, there is a revival of interest at Hak-İş about women workers and women unionists, as Hak-İş started to realize women workers with the quest of reinforcement in the trade unionist movement; and the assignment of women to management mechanisms is thus regarded as the easiest way to reach them. Today, 5 women in total are represented in the headquarters of Hak-İş affiliated unions. But is this step sufficient to enable gender equality in trade unions? What do women think about trade unions’ structure and how do they experience this process? The perspective of women unionists are considered crucial for the revival of women participation in the trade union movement. This study analyses the discourses of women members of Hak-İş about the issue.
Keywords : Sendika, Sendikacı Kadınlar, Kadın, Toplumsal Cinsiyet, Hak İş