United Metal-Is Member Smart Solar Workers Go On Strike! Employer Imposed Poverty Wage Despite Profits

GEBZE - Birleşik Metal-İş, one of the important unions of the metal industry, decided to strike after the 2nd Term Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations at the Smart Solar Factory in Gebze remained inconclusive due to the employer's uncompromising attitude. Smart Solar workers, members of Birleşik Metal-İş, started a strike to get their rights as of October 22, 2025.

In a press release issued by the General Executive Board of the union, the employer's offer was harshly criticized for being disconnected from the economic reality and the workers' struggle for survival.

Only 3,000 TL Raise and Inflation Imposition from the Employer

Birleşik Metal-İş characterized the employer's offer as crumbs in response to the CBA draft prepared in June:

"The employer's offer is only a net increase of 3,000 TL for all members for the first six-month period. The employer also stated that only inflationary increases could be made in the following periods and that no welfare share could be given."

The union emphasized that workers, who have been working for months without a raise, are struggling to survive in the face of the rising cost of living and high inflation. The statement said that due to the high rents in Gebze and its surroundings, about 70 percent of workers' income goes only to rent and education costs have increased by more than 100 percent compared to last year.

"With High Profits, Workers Are Given Crumbs"

In the statement, it is pointed out that Smart Solar Management has opened new solar panel and raw material manufacturing factories in Izmir with the high profits from the Gebze plant, and that the company has refrained from giving fair compensation to the workers who enabled this growth:

"The company... The workers behind this growth deserve only crumbs. The Smart Solar boss's offer is an imposition that ignores our labor and is disconnected from the realities of workers."

Emphasis on Democratic Trade Union Understanding

Birleşik Metal-İş emphasized that the strike decision was taken in line with the democratic, transparent and collective decision-making union tradition. It was stated that the employer was expecting a "harmonious" yellow union environment like in the Izmir plant, but in Gebze, Birleşik Metal-İş acted together with its members.

Finally, the statement reminded that Smart Solar Workers Defended Their Union Rights in the Past by Occupying the Workplace, and that Today, Smart Solar Workers Put forth The Will to Strike for Their Bread and Dignity, and stated that the union is Behind the Workers Until the End of the Struggle.