Today was a wonderful Sunday. Incirlik was having one of its annual day-long "power outage" days. I am not sure why they have to do these but apparently it is necessary to service the Base. We were warned about this outage. (Weeks ago we had one for our street that I did not receive warning to which was in the heat of the summer and not as welcome.) Many people planned weekends away from Base but being as we just got back from Germany and JB was on call, we opted to stay at home.
I'm so glad we did.
Fall is in the air. While we won't see the leaves changing colors like we did in Kentucky and Minnesota, there was a cool feeling in the air. We opened the windows and just enjoyed some quiet family time. There is something peaceful about no electricity. No humming in the air. No power on anywhere around you. It was peaceful. Relaxing. Calming.
Speaking of the Base, the power is back on which is good news. But bad news is also on the horizon.
We've been given notice that the Turkish "union" is threatening a strike. Apparently, they are required to provide 60 days notice for an impending strike. While it is not for sure that they will strike, there is a chance, and apparently that can really turn the Base on its head. There are over 1300 Turkish Nationals who work on our Base. Most, like my housekeeper, will not get paid if they do not work. In addition, our grocery stores, Commissary, BX, nearly everything on Base is run by these individuals. (And it isn't like we can run down the street to get something we need.) It would bring the Base to a standstill.
Apparently there have only been two strikes in the last twenty years. One lasted 60 days. Another in 1998 lasted just six days. But they had to shuttle people to places off-Base for supplies etc. It was quite messy.
Please keep this in your thoughts and prayers. We have good relations with the Turkish community and want to continue this. We also don't want these people to face the absence of a paycheck. It would break my heart to not see Hatice every week! (And speaking of Hatice, she came while we were out of town. How wonderful to return to a clean house!)
2 comments:
Welcome Home Wendi!! Loved your pics of Germany - so glad you had a wonderful time!
Drop me aline when you can - I am also praying about the strike!
Take care,
Andrea
My in-laws were living in Turkey in the early 90's when there was a strike. It seems like things have changed a bit from hearing their stories and reading yours.
I am glad everything turned out alright.
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