Extended Summary

Art has two basic functions in social life in the most general terms. The first is to reflect social life and its problems, and the second is to create social awareness. Every branch of art has this dual function, similarly to working life and labour issues. From the historical process to the present, issues such as the birth, development, struggle of the working class, the acquisition of the rights to organize, collective bargaining and strike have found their reflection in works of art as well as academic studies. On the other hand, art, with its aesthetic values, has the potential to appeal to the mental and emotional aspects of people, and creates an awareness and consciousness about working life and labour, and affects the masses in this direction. Considering all these qualities, art adds strength to social struggles and the struggle of the working class itself by influencing the society, public opinion and decision makers. This situation reveals the benefits of artistic activities of trade unions.

Based on this reality, in this study, the trade union-art relationship in Turkey is discussed together with its change in the historical process and the extent to which the unions give place to artistic activities and the effects of these activities on the union movement and member workers are examined. Qualitative data collection techniques such as observation, documents, pictures, and primarily in-depth interviews were used in the study, in which the qualitative research technique was used. In-depth interviews were conducted with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire with a total of 31 participants constituting the purposive sample in the field research, who are/were involved in trade unions as trade union experts and union managers. In addition to the archive research, the narratives of the participants made a great contribution in the collection of documents, and these two data collection processes significantly supported each other. The findings of the research suggest that the importance of art as a field of activity for trade unions in Turkey has not been sufficiently recognized. This situation is undoubtedly related to some concrete conditions. Trade unions in Turkey have to struggle with a series of economic, legal and social problems. Under these unfavorable conditions, it is difficult for them to allocate enough time and opportunities to the arts. The limited activities that they can organize remain within a passive framework of watching rather than ensuring the active participation of their members. The most common activities are concerts, poetry readings, watching movies or theater plays. In terms of their subject matter, these activities are generally related to the labour movement, either directly or indirectly.

When the artistic activities of trade unions are evaluated at the confederation level, it is seen that DİSK is the most active confederation. From 1967, when it was founded, until 1980, when its activities were suspended, a wide range of artistic activities such as theater awards, documentary filming, collaborations with various art associations, May 1st poster competitions, support for the shooting of films related to union activities, photography and poster exhibitions, concerts and theater performances, choirs and folk dances were organized. The establishment of art-specific units such as the DİSK Photo Film Center in 1976 and the DİSK Education and Culture Center (DKM) in 1979 are important steps in terms of both contributing to the active production of art and institutionalizing trade union activities. It is seen that Türk-İş is limited to activities such as photography contests, exhibitions and concerts. When Hak-İş is examined, events such as a short film competition, labour-themed photography competition, exhibition, marbling training, and concerts have been encountered since 2012.

Among the labour unions included in the field sample, there are only two unions, namely Genel-İş Union and Petrol-İş, where artistic activities are prominent. Both unions carry out both productive and passive activities such as watching in their activities covering various branches of art. The International Workers’ Film Festival, which has been held every year since 2006, is one of the original artistic events in which many unions, together with various NGOs, associations, professional organizations and municipalities are among the organizing and supporting institutions.

While trade unions/confederations in Turkey carry out various artistic activities from past to present, it is emphasized by the participants that the most important problem is the failures in ensuring the continuity of these activities. The majority of the participants stated that the lack of demand for artistic activities from member workers, the lack of awareness that art is a necessity, and the priority of economic demands were effective. On the other hand, it is pointed out that demands may vary according to different class strata and demographic characteristics. This clearly shows that there is a need to shift from the traditional understanding of trade unions as operating solely for collective expectations such as collective bargaining, to policies and activities that include the change of labour markets and class strata and their differences within the framework of new organizing strategies. One of the main reasons for the failure of unions to ensure the continuity of artistic activities is that such activities remain the personal initiatives of union experts and managers, and do not become part of the union’s institutional identity. Artistic activities carried out through personal initiatives are often interrupted, especially after changes in management. It is quite clear that there is a need for institutionalization regarding the subject. However, as a result of the field research, it is seen that trade unions, with a few exceptions, do not have art-specific units.

The findings on the effects of artistic activities on trade unions, member workers and the labour movement are of particular importance. In addition to contributing to the individual development of member workers, art also strengthens their social relations. It is also revealed that through artistic activities unions contribute to the formation of a culture as a workers’ organization, increasing union loyalty, transforming workers into active members and the formation of class consciousness. The effects on the labour movement in general stand out in terms of the construction of class culture.

Most of the participants draw attention to the fact that there has been a break that involves going backwards, in the artistic activities of the unions due to a number of reasons such as the increasing economic difficulties compared to the past, neoliberal practices, the economic, social and political climate after September 12, and the loss of power of the labour movement as a result of the changes in union rights and freedoms. In this context, field findings reveal four basic dimensions; the first is cultural barrenness at the social level, the second is the restriction of the social freedom environment, the third is that both workers and unions have to struggle with economic difficulties, and fourth is the loss of power of the class movement and thus the unions.

Within the framework of the research findings, when artistic activities are considered within the scope of union activities, it is seen that they have the potential to make a wide range of individual, class and social contributions to member workers, unions and the general labour movement. Considering its contribution to individuals, the labour movement and social struggles, it is clear that unions in Turkey need to strengthen their relatively weak relationship with artistic activities.