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NisaTex · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 24

<Edit> second posting rolled to end of this one: "Tragedy"

I went to BES Bridge English School after been "invited" to teach two classes.
The current teachers are in sad shape. Late (or no) salary payment, classrooms that are (literally) pealing down with crud. Teachers say they cant get text books for kids and that it doesn't matter as HQ passes everyone anyway.

After spending that brief time there I even began to feel sorry for all those misfit teachers still remaining there-

PM me if need more info

ny

MarkN · Joined: 22 Apr 2010 Posts: 14

NisaTex

Does your nic mean you ar from Texas as well? Not many of us here in IST...

That Bridge place is infamous. My old roomate last year, his girlfriend was a teacher there. She tried to be patient as an American and waited months for her salary. The last straw was when the director started touching her inappropriately. They both-along with some other teachers-made a protest on the street to inform the students. Despite being peaceful and carrying placards Bridge director had them arrested. He pays off the local cops it seems whenever teachers or unsatisfied students complain.

Unfortunately not an unusual scenario but Bridge is among the worst--

Mark N

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

That's funny, I know more Texans here than anywhere else I've been....

Spent time in North Fort Worth, does that make me an honorary Texan? Smile

MarkN · Joined: 22 Apr 2010 Posts: 14

Listener

Well. How much time did you spend there? Smile

Enough to say "y'all" without thinking about it?

Mark

: Laughing

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Yep. But I do it with a Midwestern accent.

NisaTex · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 24

Yes, Mark, I am a proud Texan Exclamation

Thanks for reporting that about the police arrest of the native speaking
teachers at Bridge. I had heard that when I was there but was not sure if I should put it on the board as it was just hearsay.

Wouldn't something like that be in the newspapers? Did the English teachers actually go to jail jail?

Glad I didnt take that offer!

Nt

dudeteacher · Joined: 27 Feb 2010 Posts: 173

NisaTex · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 24

I thought something was going on there from all the PMing I was getting!!

Well even another Bridge nightmare.

They fired two foreign teachers without notice (on May 1st-- Workers Rights Day)
Apparently they want you to give 30 days notice or you don't get your paycheck yet Bridge English is able to fire you in a days notice and withhold your wages! Apparently they and some of the other teachers that are months back due in wages will try lawsuit to get their wages. Good luck guys. Honestly.

Sounds like some of those abuses that the people in Taksim lost there lives for in 1977 are still taking place. I love it here in Turkey but the evil people like this bums me out. Crying or Very sad

P.S. Bridge English School is in the school we are talking about. NOT British English which occupies the same building as Bridge English School.
Some PMers have asked me about British English. I have no idea about them, apparently they are new.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Sounds like some of those abuses that the people in Taksim lost there lives for in 1977

English teachers died?? Shocked

NisaTex · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 24

Spiral

Actually the Radikal listed one person, Alex Konteas as an English teacher. But I imagine he was protesting that which happens to all workers here that don't have recourse to an effective legal system and are really just "urban serfs"

Crying or Very sad

MarkN · Joined: 22 Apr 2010 Posts: 14

Nisatex

Looks like we are headed for a Texas Sma'k Down!!

Apparently two more Bridge English school last week fired several foreign (one American-Irish) teachers plus two Turks. [Well I think it would be called fired because they never got paid even after working there]

The foreign teachers have gone to a lawyer and are planning to file CRIMINAL charges against the management, a one B---- Bey , for theft of wages.

You Go GIRRRLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Putting the few bad Turks in the pokey for not paying salaries would be a huge step for labor rights here. Maybe we can rise above "Urban serfdom"

Apparently one of the native teachers had children and was opening begging and weeping for his back wages due.

Lets keep our fingers crossed for these teachers and not complain too much about the place we are now

Peace!

NisaTex · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 24

uhhh...what is a Texas Smack Down? Is that like one of those American Gladiator games?

God I cant believe someone with children is reduced to tears to get paid..I will stop complaining about my situation here. Maybe harsh but why didn't the people just cut there losses and run in the begining rather than dragging it on?

Anyway do you think they will eventually get their salaries?

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

NisaTex · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 24

eclectic

Really? ANYWHERE? Neutral

worse than I thought then--I am only familiar with Turkey.

More new on them is that someone has apparently made a website about them and what transpired. I will try to pass it on soon

Laughing

MarkN · Joined: 22 Apr 2010 Posts: 14

My ex roomate heard that over the weekend that even the cleaning lady at Bridge has not been paid her wages in two months. Last month the woman's electricity was cut off for non payment. She is just a villager and can't afford a lawyer. Some of the teachers chipped in and are giving her some money to buy groceries despite the fact they haven't been paid either.

Despite pleading not having money, the management was photographed at a luxury IST restaurant being serenaded "LITERALLY" by musicians whilst the cleaning women is left in hunger and darkness. Evil or Very Mad

If there is a Hell these guys will receive Fast Track admission.

The scam works like this:
1.) Occupy an upscale rental property like Nisantasi in space you haven't paid rent on in over a year and are currently in Court on (knowing Court evictions in Turkey take 18 months or so).

2.) Lure in college age students with a low price. Require that they pay in advance. Photocopy their national ID cards when they register for "their security"

3.) When students realize their textbooks are fake illegal photocopies refuse to provide them with the originals as "They are imported and sitting in Customs control"

4.) When students ask for a refund because teac6.)hers have no books and are not teaching well because their promises of payment are only that--promises, refuse a refund to the student.

5.) When student refuses to pay anymore show them the photocopies of their ID and threaten to sue them.

6. Young naive students unaware of their rights pay for classes they will never attend under threat of being sued by a "prestigious" company

7.) Scammers sit back and enjoy the fruit of their evil: School pays for their home water, electricity, DigiTurk (!) and sports clubs

A website with photos has been put up by an irate past teacher who has filled a legal suit against Bridge. I will hunt up the web site URL for you in a few days

TOA probably prevents naming names so lets highlight as best possible. The "director" is;
Mr. B _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _
accomplices:

Mr. G _ _ _ _ _ _ G _ _ _ _
Mr. E _ _ _ _ Y _ _ _ _ _

if these guys stay out of prison and you come across them in whatever incarnation FLEE

To any potential new inbound ESL teachers, this is NOT reflective of the situation on the ground here. Although there are payment problems at times this level is quite rare