Big Civil Servant Action Coming: Türkiye Kamu-Sen and Memur-Sen will not produce services on August 18 against the Government's Collective Bargaining Proposal

ANKARA - Turkish Public Sector Union (Türkiye Kamu-Sen) and the authorized confederation Memur-Sen (Memur-Sen) have decided to take joint action after finding the government's second offer in the 8th Term Public Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations insufficient. The two major confederations announced that they will organize a one-day work stoppage across the country on Monday, August 18, 2025 to express their demands for "justice in income, balance in wages" and to ensure that the economic losses of public employees are compensated.

Focus of the Action: Front of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury

The action will culminate in a large rally and press statement in front of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance in Ankara. Memur-Sen called on its members to gather in front of Memur-Sen Headquarters at 14.00 and march from there to Anadolu Square and then to the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. Türk Eğitim-Sen, affiliated to Türkiye Kamu-Sen, also announced that they will participate in the work stoppage on the same day in line with the decision of their confederation and will make a press statement in front of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.

Common Demands: "We Want Our Labor to Pay Off"

Both confederations explained their reasons for the action in similar terms. In its announcement on social media, Memur-Sen said, "We Demand Justice in Income, Balance in Wages! For Our Labor, Our Bread, Our Future". Turkish Education and Training Union, on the other hand, stated that they will not produce services "for a fair working life, to be paid for our labor and sweat of our brow, for a wage worthy of human dignity". This common stance shows how much public employees care about their structural demands such as wage increases, welfare share, equalization payments and elimination of wage injustice in addition to the salary increase rates in the collective bargaining process.

Tension Spilled Beyond the Table

The government's latest offer, which included only a 1,000 TL increase in base salaries in addition to the first proposed percentage increases, fell far short of the unions' expectations. Ali Yalçın, the President of Memur-Sen, described the offer as "the right address but the wrong amount" and said that the offer forced the unions to "point to the field". The August 18 action is seen as a critical step for the unions to strengthen their position at the table and gain public support. All eyes are now on the impact of the action on public opinion and the government.