Todays Zaman reported that Ereğli Demir Çelik announced that it plans on reducing its employees' wages by 35% in its factories in Ereğli and İskenderun, sparking fears that workers in the plants may take collective action against the move, including a massive strike.

According to the proposal, the 35% wage cut will last until August 31st 2010. Addressing workers and senior managers from the company, Odabaş stressed the union's strong opposition to the proposal.

Later, speaking to the union's representatives and senior officials from OYAK Holding, Odabaş was reportedly assured that dismissals were not on the table.

Mr Yusuf Ziya Odabaş president of the Turkish Metal Union's branch covering Erdemir and İskenderun Iron & Steel Enterprises threatened protests if the company goes ahead with its plan.

Nonetheless it was reported that security around the plant had been beefed up as 700 workers formed picket lines outside the building, shouting slogans and preventing other workers from entering.

Workers are also protesting newly imposed regulations under which employees who are close to retirement are dismissed, with reduced pensions and their sons are offered their jobs but with lower wages.

Meanwhile, the Social Labor Union, representing workers at Metro Supermarkets has voted to strike on April 29 if the employer does not implement the terms of a collective bargaining agreement that provides for, among other things, a 17% wage increase in the first six months of the year in addition to a wage increase pegged to the inflation rate.

(Sourced from www.todayszaman.com)