Final Declaration of the 6th Ordinary Presidents' Assembly from Petrol-Is: Strikes Continue with Determination, Severance Pay Alarmed

ISTANBUL - The 30th Term 6th Ordinary Presidents' Assembly of Petrol-Is Union convened in Istanbul on October 24, 2025 and comprehensively evaluated the current economic and political developments in the country, the genocide in Palestine, the problems of public laborers and the organizational activities of the union. At the end of the meeting held under the chairmanship of President Süleyman Akyüz, important decisions and warnings were included in the final declaration presented to the public.

Highlights from the Council of Presidents:

1. Call for Lasting Peace in Palestine and Condemnation of Israel The declaration stated that tens of thousands of Palestinians have been massacred in the Israeli attacks that have been going on for more than two years and condemned Israel for committing genocide. It was emphasized that the transformation of the new US-led agreement process into a lasting peace depends on the solidarity of the working peoples.

2. Economic Distress and Anti-Labor Policies It was stated that the austerity program and austerity steps in the public sector have had contractionary consequences on the economy. Noting that employers are resorting to layoffs under the pretext of the "crisis", it was demanded that labor's rights and gains should not be allowed to be further scaled back and measures should be taken to protect laborers.

3. Severance Pay and TES Alarm The Supplementary Pension System (TES) included in the Medium Term Program (MTP) was harshly criticized. It warned that the TES, which envisages compulsory participation, aims to marketize social security and carries the danger of being merged with the severance pay fund of previous years. The statement emphasized that all confederations and unions should be vigilant against possible attempts to extend the right to severance pay.

4. Opposition to Privatizations Strategic public enterprises such as TPAO, BOTAŞ and Eti Maden, which are the backbone of the Turkish economy, should not be privatized under any circumstances. It was demanded that these organizations be removed from the Wealth Fund and strengthened with investments.

5. Objection to Tax Injustice Drawing attention to the injustices in the tax system, it was demanded that the tax burden on wage earners be eased and the increasing deductions towards the end of the year (payroll imprisonment) be prevented.

6. The Problem of Workers' Claims at TPI and the Call for Legislation It was emphasized that the employer's fraudulent share transfers and terminations during the strike at TPI constitute an illegal lockout. The statement noted that current legislation does not provide for effective sanctions to prevent such fraud and called for legal protection of labor claims and urgent legislation against illegal lockouts.

7. Full Support to Ongoing Strikes The union's strikes at Temel Gasket (319th day), TPI Composite (165th day) and Gübretaş (114th day) continue with full determination. The Council of Presidents greeted the resisting members and expressed their support for their struggle.

Petrol-İş announced that it has concluded CBAs in a total of 61 workplaces/enterprises in 2025 despite the uncompromising attitude of the employers and that it will continue to raise the rights of its members in the contract negotiations with an effective date of 1.1.2026 that will start in the upcoming period. The union will celebrate its 75th year of struggle at the General Representatives Assembly to be held in Antalya on December 3-4, 2025.