The workers` resistance on June 15-16 was commemorated at its 37th anniversary with actions and activities. In 1970, workers had developed a militant resistance against the government's initiative to liquidate DISK , the confederation of trade unions. The workers had stopped the production in the factories and blockaded the highway between Istanbul and Ankara. 3 out of 150.000 workers resisting had been killed when the police opened the fire on them. However, the resistance grew and the state had to proclaim a three month lasting "state of emergency" in Istanbul and Kocaeli. The resistance of June 15-16 has become an important turning point showing the working class in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan performing as an independent power on the stage.
A wide range of trade unions and organisations, among them the Platform of the Istanbul branches of KESK , Sine-Sen and Tekstil-Sen , organized an action on June 16 at Yogurtcu Park, Istanbul, to commemorate Mehmet Gidak, Yasar Yildirim and Mustafa Bayram, the martyrs of the resistance June 15-16. At the action, the workers opened a banner on which it said "The resistance of June 15-16 is enlightening our way".
The trade union Tekstil-Sen organized an action in the morning hours of June 16 at the industrial zone at Terazidere, Istanbul opening a banner saying "With the spirit of the resistance of June 15-16, against racism, nationalism and coups, long live the union of the workers and the brotherhood of the people". In its press statement, the trade union called on the workers to join the commemorational events for the resistance of June 15-16. It also said: "The general strike and resistance on June 15-16 is a great example of action for us showing which way we have to go to win the future. More than usual do we have the need of a resistance such as the resistance of June, which we commemorate here in its 37th year."
In Adana, a discussion meeting on the resistance of June 15-16 was organized by the regional branch of Tekstil-Sen. At the meeting, analyses were made by discussing the development of the militant workers` movement.