Hüseyin Ünsal, Chairman of S. S. 70 Mersinli Village Motor Carriers Cooperative: "Sad To Say; No Solidarity In The Truckc Ommunity

Chairman Ünsal said the following about the cooperative that was established in 1997: “Our cooperative was established 22 years ago. Previously, our grandparents used to transport with camels. We are now doing our job with our 10-wheel and centipede trucks. Our cooperative has 96 vehicles. We carry 80 percent cat and dog food. Wheat and corn, which are the raw materials of these foods are grown in this region. We're going constantly to Istanbul and also to Erzurum, Gaziantep and Adana in Turkey. "

“Pandemic Process Returned to Normal; Now Diesel Prices Increased ”

Expressing his opinions on the increase in vehicle prices and high diesel prices, Ünsal said: “The vehicles which were 150 thousand liras are now sold to 250 thousand liras. As the prices of the vehicles have increased now, second-hand vehicles are not affordable, too. We mostly work in Istanbul. This means bridge, highway and fuel oil costs. Diesel oil became cheaper when nobody was on the road during the pandemic period. The pandemic process has returned to normal; now diesel prices have increased. Even if the diesel price increases, the prices we receive remain constant. If diesel oil price falls, our prices also fall to the base price. We have a standard pricing for our 96 members; but we try to adjust it according to the environment. However, prices should be overviewed. No matter if our works are good or not; we are not good as the sector. We are not happy with this situation. ”

“We Do Not Know To Whom We Should Tell Our Troubles ”

Explaining the problems experienced due to the Fast Pass System penalty and claiming that most drivers are victims of this situation, Ünsal said: “My vehicle passed through FPS. 125 TL of fine was written to me. I forgot after passing the highway. For the 125 TL fine, I paid 250 thousand TL. My limit was 150 liras; I raised. The penalty can of course be; but 10 times more punishment. I pay 10 times after 15 days if I do not notice the penalty. There are a lot of people who are victims in Turkey in general. Highways, roads have always been privatized. For this reason, we do not known to whom we should tell our troubles.”

“It Is Healthy To Go 9 Hours On The Road But This Application Has No Infrastructure”

Referring to the issue of the tachograph, Ünsal stated that many changes have been made in practice and said that; “This profession is my father's profession. I started my profession at the age of 12. First they produced tachographs which are compatible with 98s. We used to come with a working report card. Following that one, they produced updated one and then, the digital one is produced now. Now the electronic tachograph has been released. We can't count how many there are. I bought the tachograph for 2 thousand 300 liras. In fact, this is a very nice system; there is this system in Europe. It would be healthy to go 9 hours. But there is no infrastructure of this practice in Turkey. Therefore, we become victims. My driver is going to Istanbul; but with this procedure, the driver can not go in 9 hours. And they want us to take an 11-hour break in 24 hours. How can we do this if we go to sleep for 11 hours? ”

“We Still Have Friends Who Use Push - Button Phones In Our Cooperative”

Ünsal, who also made evaluations about U-ETDS, said that; “My trucker doesn't know how to use a smartphone. We still have friends who use push – button phones in our cooperative. How will they report the load? In fact, factories can make this data notification by mail. When we receive our waybill, they can report 'This plate vehicle is going to Istanbul Esenyurt'. When the driver receives the goods, he already writes his phone and name and then signs. In this case, we do not know what to do. ”

Pointing out that the Casco is high cost and they pay a lot of taxes, Chairman Ünsal said that; “Our system has changed, and the tax is issued according to the invoice we cut. For example, I am billing 20 thousand liras; I give 18 percent of the monthly tax to the government. Where is the good in this job? The one doing this job without invoice does not pay taxes to the state as much as I paid; these are not prevented. In addition, we take the banderol twice a year. We do traffic insurance and automobile insurance. All of these are troubles for us separately. Previously, these insurance and insurance money were eligible. Now we always try to keep in mind that automobile insurance or traffic insurance issuance day and not to miss it. I made a automobile insurance for 4 thousand liras. These would cost cheaper before; there is a lot of increase. ”

“If We Could Be A Single Fist By Organizing What We Say.”

Chairman Ünsal emphasizes that cooperatives should be organized. He also states the importance of unity and why they could not be gathered under the roof of the Central Unity by saying that; “If we could be united under the roof by getting organized, everything we say would be possible. For example, we will say “The diesel price will be 3, 5liras and no truck driver will start the engine!”  Everything stops when we all do this. They understand the value of this profession when fruit and vegetables do not go to Istanbul, Ankara just for 2 days. But we have no leader. The Central Union does not help in this regard either. Sad to say, there is no solidarity in the truckers community. They invited me to Antalya, I went. I am the Chairman of the cooperative for 5 years. I went once, then I never went again. Everyone is expecting for something from us. They can't do this job. ”

Finally, Ünsal stated that they expect the state to be interested in cooperatives. He said that; “We want the state assess about us a little differently. Unfortunately, this does not happen. Our work is good; but this is not only about us. Turkey should be good in general. Not just for ourselves; we want to work well in the whole industry. ”