January 31, 2006 The Polyphonic Chorus of Ankara TRT (The Radio and Television Institution of Turkey) went to Greece for a series of concerts last October. In the bus on the way back, the chorus singers listened to a Pavarotti recording whichcaused the manager of the Polyphonic Music Department, Ergin Erenoğlu to demand, “Shut down […]
January 31, 2006
The Polyphonic Chorus of Ankara TRT (The Radio and Television Institution of Turkey) went to Greece for a series of concerts last October. In the bus on the way back, the chorus singers listened to a Pavarotti recording whichcaused the manager of the Polyphonic Music Department, Ergin Erenoğlu to demand, “Shut down that infidel music!” When a singer defended the music, saying, “I have been a musician for 35 years, I know what is right and what is wrong in my profession,” the manager responded, “You have been doing the wrong thing for 35 years. You are a traitor!”
Musicians’ Reaction. Union: Erenoğlu must resign.
The musicians stated they were bothered by the event. The union that organized at the TRT (The Radio and Television Institution of Turkey), Haber-Sen, demanded the resignation of the manager of the Polyphonic Music Department. Ergin Erenoğlu who, they claim, has violated peaceful working conditions and insulted the musicians.
Haber-Sen organized a press release demonstration outside the Ankara TRT radio studios. In the statement, the union said the Radio President, Şenol Göka, had said, “Go complain to any official you want. But you will face the consequences” instead of trying to resolve the issue. The union also said that the TRT President threatened the musicians and tried to pressure them to withdraw their complaints.
Apart from this incident, it was revealed in the statement that the musicians were being forced to sing the entire workday, jeopardizing their health and voices. Erenoğlu, unaware of the free environment required for a musician to perform, had treated them like foot soldiers in an army and had managed the Department contradictory to the institution’s procedures to suppress the workers.
The union claimed the irregularities were not new, and even a chorus director who had given the love of music to children, successfully given concerts at home and abroad and won many awards was fired illegally.
The Haber-Sen union requested a meeting with the Deputy President of the TRT, Ali Güney, to discuss the problems. After waiting for two weeks, however, they had not received any response.
The union demanded an apology from the new management, which prevented all television performances of the Polyphonic Chorus Musicians since their coming to power. The Haber-Sen union also said they were behind the musicians and would continue supporting the struggle for an independent, democratic and participatory TRT, broadcasting as a public service.
Sendika.org
M.B.
