TÜRK-İŞ Presidents' Council Convened: Tensions Rise in the Framework Protocol for Public Collective Labor Agreements

Ankara - The TÜRK-İŞ Presidents' Council, the umbrella organization of the Turkish labor movement, held a critical meeting at the Confederation Headquarters on Monday, July 28, 2025. The main agenda item of the meeting was the latest situation in the framework protocol for public collective labor agreements. Making statements after the meeting, TÜRK-İŞ President Ergün Atalay addressed the government, emphasizing that their demands were reasonable and thanked the heroes who fought the forest fires. Atalay announced that they have taken strike decisions one after another due to the deadlock in the negotiations.

Public Collective Labor Agreements: Türk-İş's Harsh Message to the Government

General President Ergün Atalay, in a statement to the press, detailed the process in the negotiations on the Framework Protocol for Public Collective Labor Agreements. According to Atalay, the government first offered a 16% raise, which was increased to 17% a week later [00:54]. However, after the Minister announced a 24% increase for the first six months and an inflation rate increase for the second six months on July 18 [01:10], said that after July 22, there was no formal offer, only informal talks to reduce the raise to 10% or 11% [01:46].

Atalay called for the just and reasonable demands of Türk-İş to be listened to, making it clear that workers had no choice but to strike. "Strikes were the last resort, we were hoping to solve the problems through negotiations," Atalay said [04:29], criticizing the government's proposals to postpone strikes or refer the matter to the High Arbitration Council [06:18].

Wave of Strikes Begins: First Step from Eti Maden

TÜRK-İŞ President Atalay announced the strike decisions following the deadlock in the negotiations. According to this:

• The first strike will begin on Friday with the participation of around 2,100 workers at Eti Maden's plants in Kırka, Bandırma, Bigadiç and Hisarcık [02:16].

• On Saturday, there will be a strike at the Zonguldak Mine Labor Union [02:56].

• In March Demiryol-İş [03:07], then Yol-İş [03:19] and strikes will continue at Energy and State Hydraulic Works on Wednesday [03:32].

• Strike decisions in Youth and Sports, Finance and universities are expected to be announced on August 8 [03:42].

• Atalay said they expect all unions to declare a strike within 10 days [03:45].

• Atalay added that they would hold a press conference with the striking workers on Wednesday to give a full update on the situation [04:59].

Thanks to the Heroes Fighting Forest Fires

Ergün Atalay also touched upon the current situation in the country and thanked "all the unsung heroes" who fought valiantly against the forest fires [10:08]. Referring to a conversation he had with a forestry worker, he said that workers will continue to fight fires without demanding money because their priority is to save lives, animals and the country [08:03]. Atalay emphasized that Türk-İş attaches importance to national problems, fires and defense industry [08:54].

TÜRK-İŞ Presidents' Council meeting and subsequent statements indicate that the public sector collective bargaining process is proceeding in a very tense atmosphere and that union protests may increase in the coming days.