Historic Work Stoppage Across Turkey by KESK: "We are on strike against the misery offer!"

ANKARA - The Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions (KESK) has taken a historic step against the raise rates offered by the government in the 8th Term Public Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations and described as "misery offer" by public laborers. On Monday, August 18, 2025, KESK held a simultaneous work stoppage in 81 provinces of Turkey, using its power from production and taking the quest for rights to the streets.

The center of the action was in front of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security in Ankara. KESK, together with its affiliated unions, organized a giant press statement in front of the ministry with the participation of thousands of public workers. The protesters came together with the slogan "Long Live Our Organized Struggle!" and gave a message of determination against the government's proposal. The confederation announced that the protests were not limited to Ankara, but spread across Turkey, including Adıyaman, Dersim, Konya and Istanbul.

"We are in the Fields Against the Poverty, Precarity Proposal"

KESK announced the rationale and scope of the action to the masses through social media posts. "We are on the field in all provinces against the government's offer of misery, poverty, precariousness and its cronies! WE ARE ON (Ö)REVDE!" was the slogan. This slogan demonstrated that public laborers are taking an all-out stance not only against low raises, but also against uncertainties in working conditions, precarious employment and increasing poverty.

The public sector workers' decision to stop work, even though it disrupted public services, was seen by the union as part of a strategy to "make their voices heard by using the power of production". KESK signaled that the struggle will continue until a fair increase is achieved at the collective bargaining table. The action shows that the trade union movement will continue to take an active and determined stance to protect the rights of public employees.