13th Conference of the European Sociological Association, (Un)Making Europe: Capitalism, Solidarities, Subjectivities, Athens, Greece, 29 August - 01 September 2017, vol.1, pp.504
This paper examines the formation processes of the
working class in Karabük on the basis of Karabük
Iron-Steel Factories. The workers who have been
working in the factory since the foundation of the
corporation are chosen as the sample group of the
study. The working class identity and the general
formation of the working class are examined through
three different 'generations'. Focus group and a field
research based upon survey are applied in addition to
in depth interviews. The aim of this study, in
accordance with the historical development, to discuss
each period separately, from the perspectives of their
continuity and distinctiveness. By laying emphasis on
trade union history and political field particularly, the
study also tries to define the roles of these variables in
the process of formation of the working class in
different periods. It seems that the significant
distinctiveness of the last generation of these three
generations is remarkable.
This paper focuses on historical process of working
class formation. Karabük is the oldest heavy industry
investment of Turkey. In its 75 years history, it can be
seen Turkish social and economic history with
workers' perspective. Karabük is a one of the 'steel
town'. In generally, from a historical perspective
politics come before industrial workplace relations. On
the other hand, the study tries to focus on last
generation working class, and the results are signed
that the last generation of steel workers as 'precariat'.
Last generation workers quest new politics, old type of
trade unionism and old type political positions are not
operational for new workers.