A Clear Message from Memur-Sen to the Public Employer: "Let's See Salaries Melting Against Inflation

Ankara - Ali Yalçın, the President of Memur-Sen, called on the public employer to "come to the table with a realistic offer" by drawing attention to the erosion of public servants' salaries against inflation as the negotiations for the 8th Term Collective Bargaining Agreement continue. Stating that with the announcement of the July 2025 inflation rate of 2.06%, some of the 5% increase that public servants have just received with the decision of the Arbitration Board has already been eroded, Yalçın emphasized that the process should be concluded in a fair manner without leaving it to the Arbitration Board.

The 8th Term Collective Bargaining Process, which will determine the financial and social rights of millions of public servants in 2026 and 2027, has become an agenda item closely followed by the entire public. In particular, the 30% inflation expectation for 2025 further deepens the losses in the purchasing power of public servants.

Past Losses and Strong Demands of Memur-Sen

General President Ali Yalçın touched upon the victimizations caused by the decisions of the Arbitration Board in the past. Yalçın said, "We realized the losses caused by the wrong, incomplete and inadequate decisions of the Arbitration Board and made our proposals accordingly." Stating that the system based on low raise rates and inflation difference does not compensate for the losses suffered by public servants, Yalçın emphasized that the percentage increase proposals of Memur-Sen based on economic realities should be taken as basis in the 8th Term as it was in the 7th Term Collective Agreement.

Memur-Sen demands a cumulative 88% increase for 2026 and a cumulative 46% increase for 2027 as part of the 8th Term Collective Agreement. In this context, some of the union's general demands are as follows:

• A base salary increase of 10,000 TL at the beginning of 2026 and a 10% welfare share. 25% increase for the first six months of the year and 20% for the second six months.

• A base salary increase of 7,500 TL at the beginning of 2027. 20% increase for the first six months of the year and 15% for the second six months.

• The inflation differential is to be paid starting from the month in which the periodic increase passes and with a 2 percentage point increase.

• The payment of the Collective Bargaining Bonus of TL 2,925 per month.

• Rental assistance of 17,600 TL per month for public officials.

• Giving 3600 additional indicators to all public servants who reach the first degree.

• Upgrading spouse and child benefits in line with current economic conditions.

• Payment of 23,410 TL Religious Holiday Bonus to public servants and pensioners on Religious Holidays.

• Fixing income tax at 15%.

• Organization of Promotion and Change of Title Exams in certain periods.

• Improving social benefits such as increasing birth, marriage and death benefits and providing free daycare services.

Timeline Narrows, Expectations for a Fair Compromise

According to the calendar, the Public Employer will submit its first offer on August 12, Ali Yalçın said, reminding that negotiations must be completed by August 19, as required by law. This raises the prospect of a compromise in a shorter timeframe compared to the 22 days of negotiations in previous collective agreements.

Yalçın clearly expressed their expectations from the public employer: "Our expectation is to come to the table with a realistic and solution-oriented projection that takes into account inflation data, expectations and the loss of purchasing power experienced by public servants."

Public Workers Complete the Process, Civil Servants Next

Memur-Sen President Yalçın pointed out that the collective bargaining process of public workers was concluded with a compromise and stated that this should set a precedent for civil servants as well. Yalçın said, "We wish all the best to the public workers and we find every agreement where the sweat of the brow finds its reward valuable." Yalçın expressed that with the same approach, they hope that the collective bargaining process of public servants will reach a conclusion with a fair and equitable table without the Arbitration Board. It is of great importance that the process should not be further delayed in terms of giving the right to labor and sweat, that the collective bargaining process of civil servants should be relieved and that greater victimization should not be caused.

Ali Yalçın concluded his call, emphasizing once again that the collective bargaining table is a ground for compromise: "The collective bargaining table is a meeting place for labor and justice. The result from this table should give the value of labor, deliver the right to the sweat of the brow and implement a fair system." Yalçın concluded his call by addressing the Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek (@memetsimsek | @HMBakanligi) and the Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan (@isikhanvedat | @csgbakanligi).