Strong Solidarity from DISK to Public Workers: "Shoulder to Shoulder Against the Misery Raise!"

ISTANBUL - The work stoppage by public workers against the government's "misery raise" offer at the collective bargaining table is expanding with the strong support of labor unions. The Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions (DISK) joined the demonstration organized by the Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions (KESK) from Istanbul, bringing the solidarity of workers and civil servants to the highest level. DİSK stated that this struggle is not only the struggle of public employees, but also the common struggle of all laborers who want "justice in income and taxation."

"Government Suppresses Wages, Impoverishes Society"

DİSK President Arzu Çerkezoğlu made a statement on behalf of the DİSK General Executive Board and harshly criticized the government's proposals in the 8th Term Public Collective Agreement. Çerkezoğlu emphasized that the offers are even below the official inflation rate, leaving public laborers under the threat of even more severe poverty. Çerkezoğlu argued that the government is deliberately suppressing wages for the benefit of domestic and foreign capital in line with the Medium Term Program targets, and stated that these policies are implemented with the fairy tale "If wages fall, inflation will fall".

DİSK's statement reminded the minimum wage earners, pensioners and public workers who were crushed by inflation and said that this time the government is eyeing the "food, bread and the future of their children". The statement also drew attention to the unfair tax system, pointing out that what is given with a spoon is taken back with a ladle.

"Workers and Civil Servants Shoulder to Shoulder on General Strike"

DİSK Istanbul Regional Representative and other union leaders participated in the action of public workers in Istanbul, expressing their solidarity with slogans such as "Public workers are not alone!", "We will win by uniting!" and "Workers and civil servants hand in hand, general strike!". The action showed that workers and civil servants from different professions can unite in the struggle for economic and social rights.

DİSK's main demands are listed as follows:

• A wage level sufficient to live humanely.

• An income that is not crushed by inflation.

• Fairness in taxes, fairness in income.

• Humane working conditions and a secure future.

• A free collective bargaining system that respects all trade union rights, especially the right to strike.

DİSK called on all workers and laborers to organize and become unionized, inviting them to "increase the struggle shoulder to shoulder in order not to be condemned to a minimum life." This action was one of the most concrete proofs that the struggle for the rights of public laborers has become the common voice of all working people.