Harsh Statement from Türkiye Kamu-Sen: "We will continue all kinds of struggle with determination"

ANKARA - As the 8th Term Collective Agreement process, which determines the salary increase and social rights of civil servants and civil servant retirees covering the years 2026-2027, concluded with the decision of the Public Officials Arbitration Board, reactions from unions continue to come. Türkiye Kamu-Sen harshly criticized the events and decisions taken during the process and announced that they will continue their struggle for the rights of public employees with determination.

Historical Actor of Trade Union Struggle: Türkiye Kamu-Sen

Founded in 1992 and the pioneer of Turkish civil servants' unionism, Türkiye Kamu-Sen reminded in its statement that it played a critical role in the process from civil servants' gaining union rights to the authorization of collective bargaining. The union stated that it fights for "raising the welfare level of civil servants and pensioners and for a public personnel system dominated by justice and merit."

Turkey Kamu-Sen emphasized that it participated in the 8th Term Collective Bargaining Negotiations with more than 40 years of struggle experience and a sense of responsibility towards 25 million citizens. The union stated that they identified the problems of public officials by conducting comprehensive studies before the process and that they fought for the solution of these problems both at the table and in the field.

The Road to Irreconcilability: Who is Responsible?

The statement said that the process was far from meeting the expectations of public employees and pensioners. Türkiye Kamu-Sen argued that the Public Employer remained insensitive to the demands, but the real problem was the "reluctant and incompetent attitude of the authorized confederation in operating the bargaining table."

The union claimed that the authorized confederation's desire to solve problems through bilateral relations resulted in irreconcilable differences in the bargaining process. Especially the contradictory situations during the application process to the Arbitration Board were criticized. Türkiye Kamu-Sen stated that the authorized confederation "acted contrary to its previous statements" and sent members to the Board and ensured that a quorum was reached.

The Fight Will Continue

Turkey Kamu-Sen emphasized that although they did not have the authority to sign and object to the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations, they took all kinds of actions to ensure that public employees have the quality of life they deserve. Describing the process as "inefficient", the union said that the authorized confederation is as responsible for this situation as the Public Employer.

The statement continued with the words "No one can teach unionism to Türkiye Kamu-Sen, no one can give direction to Türkiye Kamu-Sen" and concluded with the message that the union will be the guarantor of the rights of public employees and pensioners in the future and will never give up the struggle.