Miners' resistance ends in victory: First statement from the union

The first installment of the claims of the miners, who had been resisting for their rights for 17 days in Ankara against Yıldızlar SSS Holding, has been deposited into their accounts. Following this development, the Independent Mine Workers' Union (Bağımsız Maden-İş) decided by unanimous vote to end the protest in front of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. The miners celebrated the decision with the slogan, "Victory belongs to the resisting laborer."

Following the payment, the Independent Mine Workers' Union decided by unanimous vote to end the protest it had been maintaining in front of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. After the decision was announced, the miners chanted, "Victory belongs to the resisting laborer."

TO BE PAID IN FOUR INSTALLMENTS

The workers, members of the Independent Mine Workers' Union employed at Doruk Mining and Eti Mining under Yıldızlar SSS Holding, had launched a protest for their unpaid salaries, severance pay, and other personal rights, and had moved their resistance to the front of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in Ankara.

The workers, who also faced police interventions during the 17-day protest, had held a meeting with the employer side in recent days. Following the meetings, it was announced that the payment of the workers' claims would begin.

It was reported that the entirety of the workers' claims would not be paid at once, but in 4 installments over 42 days. It was stated that the amounts deposited into the accounts varied because each worker has different claims based on their salary, severance pay, personal rights, leave days, and the circumstances of their departure from the job.

“VICTORY BELONGS TO THE RESISTING LABORER”

Independent Mine Workers' Union lawyer Mürsel Ünder announced the decision to end the protest in front of the ministry after the first installments were deposited into the accounts.

Ünder stated that the imprisoned Union President Gökay Çakır and Organizing Specialist Başaran Aksu also played a significant role in the resistance ending in a victory.

Ünder also reacted to the fact that three ministries did not provide them with clear support throughout the process, while emphasizing that the first payment was realized as a result of the struggle the workers waged to receive their rights.

THE MINERS WON, THE WORKERS WON!

The following statement was made by the Independent Mine Workers' Union after the victory was achieved:

On the 18th day of our resistance, we proudly announce that the demands of Doruk Mining and Eti Gümüş workers have been met and the process has concluded in victory, along with all their legal claims. Throughout our resistance, we were detained 8 times, kept waiting under the sun for days in front of the Ministry of Energy, our union's President Gökay Çakır and Başaran Aksu were arrested, and we faced various pressures, but we did not give up! An agreement has been reached with the endless support and solidarity of our people.

The problems and loss of rights created by Yıldızlar SSS Holding over 20 years are varied and layered for each worker. All legal claims have been determined within the scope of the agreement, and an agreement has been reached regarding their payment. In accordance with the agreement, a portion of our claims has been paid in cash, a 40-day payment plan has been prepared for the remainder, and this plan has been made indisputable with a mediation report. In this state, a decision was made to end the resistance with a victory, without a single dissenting vote, in the vote held among all miners regarding ending the resistance with a victory.

The Minister and Deputy Minister of Interior, the Minister and Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Minister and Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security, high-ranking bureaucrats of the relevant ministries, and the Director General of Security, who were guarantors of the agreement reached on April 28, 2026, did not keep their promises and mobilized to protect the holding. Despite all opposition, the miners solved their own problems themselves and concluded the resistance with a victory through their own strength. The public and the miners will not forget these conditions deemed appropriate for the miners.

When it was understood that the 3 Ministries could not and did not want to solve this matter, the miners decided to march to the Presidential Complex, which every state institution in Turkey points to. Following this decision, the Ministry of Energy decided to recognize the miners as a party on the 16th day of our resistance, and the first meeting was held. As a general stance of our union, we postponed our march due to our respect for the meeting and the agreement. However, immediately afterward, our President Gökay Çakır and Başaran Aksu were attempted to be punished and were arrested because they showed the will to march to the Complex. We underline again and again; We derive our legitimacy from the working class, from the miners. Only they have the authority to punish us! Gökay Çakır and Başaran Aksu must be released immediately, and those who allowed this 20-year robbery must be arrested!

We thank our people, who did not spare their solidarity for a moment throughout our Yıldızlar SSS Holding resistance, which we started in April and lasted for three stages, the workers who became the voice of the miners factory by factory, the few unions struggling against the boss-yellow union network, labor and democracy institutions, political parties, and members of parliament.

We owe a special thanks to the press workers who walked with us, waited under the sun, and tanned with the miners. As miners, we are grateful to all our reporter friends who work in the heavy and poor working conditions that we know very well.

We dedicate this victory to the entire working class.

We will never take a step back!

We are all Gökay Çakır, we are all Başaran Aksu!

Independent Mine Workers' Union