How do you register with a union via e-Government (E-Devlet) and what are the requirements? According to the Unions and Collective Bargaining Law, membership is available to those who are at least 15 years old, are considered workers or public servants, and apply through the E-Devlet system using a password.
How to Obtain an E-Devlet Password to Join a Union?
Steps to obtain an E-Devlet password for union membership are as follows:
- Visit the nearest PTT branch.
- Take a number and wait for your turn at the counter.
- Provide your identity card, mobile phone number and the password fee of 2 TL to the counter staff, and request an E-Devlet password.
- The staff will send the password to your phone via SMS.
The SMS-delivered password is used for union membership transactions on the E-Devlet platform. Without this password shown on the login page, it is not possible to complete online membership.
What Are the Benefits of Joining a Union?
Benefits of union membership include:
- Having a voice during collective bargaining agreements,
- Demanding humane working conditions and reasonable working hours as part of employment agreements,
- Requesting annual wage increases that are proportionate to workforce contribution,
- Participating in discussions about determining overtime and shift pay,
- Exercising the freedom to defend workers’ rights.
These benefits are obtained through union membership.
What Is the Minimum Age to Join a Union?
What Does Union Membership Do?
Primary functions and roles of union membership include:
- Economic Benefits: Unionized workers typically receive higher wages compared with non-unionized workers. Because negotiations are collective rather than individual, members are less exposed to disadvantages that can arise from one-on-one bargaining with employers.
- Job Security: Unions are established by knowledgeable and experienced individuals and negotiate contracts to protect members. These contracts make arbitrary dismissals more difficult; dismissals generally require serious misconduct to be justified.
- Collective Power Against Management: Union agreements often limit the employer’s ability to assign work outside of agreed conditions or require excessive hours. Workers who encounter improper behavior from employers have the right to report it to their union.
What Are the Disadvantages of Joining a Union?
Potential downsides to union membership include:
- If improved terms sought in collective agreements are not secured, members may face financial disadvantages relative to expectations.
- Large cyclical or three-year collective agreement periods can sometimes lead to temporary loss of rights or unfavorable outcomes for workers during that timeframe.
- If a union’s leadership is poorly managed or makes harmful decisions, members may experience negative outcomes such as premature dismissals or involuntary increases in workload.
For this reason, it is important that unions be established and run by competent, informed individuals.
Is There a Fee to Join a Union?
The fee associated with the union membership process in this context is 2 TL. This amount covers the E-Devlet password obtained from PTT branches, which is necessary to log into the system. No additional fees are required for the subsequent membership steps.
Previously, membership applications submitted in person at a notary required a fee around 40 TL; with the new online process, this cost has been reduced to approximately 2 TL.
Can You Be Fired for Joining a Union?
A worker cannot be dismissed solely because they are a union member. When unions operate properly, they can increase workplace productivity and protect employees. As long as legal procedures are followed, dismissal based only on union membership is not permissible.
There are rare instances where an employer may feel uncomfortable if a group of employees—usually at least seven—forms a union. If wrongful dismissals occur, affected workers typically seek legal remedies. In dismissal cases, unionized employees generally have stronger protections than non-unionized workers.
Can You Join Two Unions at the Same Time?
You cannot be a member of two unions simultaneously. According to the law governing public servants’ unions and collective bargaining, union membership is free, but if a person joins a second union, previous memberships are canceled. Therefore, a worker can only appear as a member of the most recent union they joined.
What Is a Union Membership Form?
The union membership form is the document public servants complete when they prefer to apply in person. The form includes the name and address of the union to be joined, the member’s identity details, the name and address of the employing institution, and the social security registration number. The public servant signs the form and submits it in person to the relevant union to complete membership.
Sendika Formunu İndirmek İçin TIKLAYINIZ
Public servants can request and obtain the membership form from their workplace. This form is used when they opt for an in-person application instead of applying through E-Devlet.
Can You Withdraw from a Union Membership?
A worker or public servant has the right to cancel their union membership. Those who no longer wish to remain members or who want to join a different union can notify their current union to terminate membership.
After a cancellation request is submitted, the union addresses the request within the first month and informs the employee of the outcome.
Why Might a Member Be Expelled from a Union?
Details about removal from union membership include:
- A decision to expel a member is made by the union’s general assembly.
- Expulsion may occur if the member requests cancellation or if the member engages in unlawful activities that harm the union’s interests.
- Once the union decides to expel a member, the affected individual has 30 days to appeal the decision in court.
Who Cannot Join a Union?
Individuals called to active military duty cannot join a union, and any existing membership they hold will be suspended.
How to Register with Worker Unions via E-Devlet
Citizens can quickly apply for union membership through E-Devlet. To register with the appropriate worker union for your sector, first log into the E-Devlet system using the relevant link. On the application page, select the union you want to join and click the “Membership Application” button to start the process.