18.08.2025 15:37
In the wage increase that concerns 6.5 million civil servants and retired civil servants, those who did not get what they wanted went on a strike. Önder Kahveci, the President of Turkey Public-Sen, reacted to the administrators who announced that administrative sanctions would be imposed on the striking civil servants, saying, "No one can impose administrative action on a member of Turkey Public-Sen who goes on strike. I will hold accountable anyone who does."
While collective bargaining negotiations involving approximately 6.5 million civil servants and retired civil servants continue, civil servants went on a strike. Civil servant unions announced that they would go on a general strike if the government's demands were not met. Some public institution managers announced that sanctions would be imposed on striking civil servants. This statement received a strong reaction from Turkey Public-Sen General President Önder Kahveci.
BEFORE THE MINISTRY OF TREASURY AND FINANCE
Members of the Confederation of Public Employees' Unions (Turkey Public-Sen), protesting the wage offer presented to civil servants and retired civil servants during the 8th collective bargaining period, held a press statement in front of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. Union members, who arrived at the ministry blowing whistles, chanted slogans such as "We are civil servants, we are right, we will win," "Turkey is our love, our struggle is for bread," "Here is the civil servant, here is the union," and "Public-Sen is with the retirees in the field."
"DISREGARDING THE SWEAT OF THE PEOPLE"
Public-Sen General President Önder Kahveci stated that they gathered to defend the rights of 25 million people, including 4 million public employees, 2.5 million retirees, and their families. Kahveci emphasized that the offer presented was not a solution for either civil servants or retirees, stating, "This offer disregards the sweat of millions. Therefore, we reject the offer and loudly say no in the squares."
Kahveci stated that they put their demands on the table during the collective bargaining and that if these were met, a decent life would be ensured. "We put forward our demand for an 88.6% raise for 2026 and a 45.2% raise for 2027, but what we received was an offer disconnected from life, constrained by the inflation target, calculated at the negotiation table," he expressed.
UNION PRESIDENTS' REACTION TO THE MINISTRY WITH CURRENCY
After the press statement, union presidents affiliated with Turkey Public-Sen left currency notes at the door of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. In response to a reporter's question, "The collective bargaining is conducted with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, why are you making a statement in front of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance?" Kahveci replied, "We are conducting the collective bargaining process with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security; however, the Ministry of Finance is the one that has a say in financial provisions. Therefore, we are calling out to Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek from here. Our demands are not arbitrary. We demand wage justice in the public sector. They should not give some people a shovel while giving civil servants a spoon," he responded.
"I WILL TAKE CARE OF IT"
Participating in the protest in front of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, Kahveci said, "I am also addressing some meddlesome managers from here. Those who say they will take action against civil servants going on strike are coming out. No one can impose administrative action on a member of Turkey Public-Sen who is on strike. I will take care of anyone who does," he stated.
A REACTION FROM KESK
Following the announcement that actions would be taken against civil servants who would go on strike by TCDD Transportation Inc. and PTT General Directorate, KESK News-Sen stated, "PTT is openly instructing managers to commit crimes. According to Article 24 (3) of the Turkish Penal Code, 'orders that constitute a crime cannot be executed under any circumstances. Otherwise, both the executor and the issuer of the order will be held responsible.' We call on all managers at PTT to be vigilant against the law-ignorant administration," they reacted.
After the official letter from PTT General Directorate announced that actions would be initiated against personnel participating in the strike, KESK-affiliated News-Sen made a statement on their social media account.
PTT: ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST PERSONNEL PARTICIPATING IN THE STRIKE
The statement shared a letter sent from the PTT Human Resources Department. The letter stated:
"Announcements are being made in union platforms and social media channels that all service branch employees, including our company employees, will participate in the strike on 18.08.2025. As is known, the Law No. 4688 on Trade Unions of Public Employees and Collective Bargaining does not grant public employees the right to strike or to stop work. The continuity of public services is essential according to the Constitution and relevant legislation. Therefore, it is legally impossible for public employees to leave their duties or go on strike. In this regard, our company personnel must not participate in the announced strike on 18.08.2025, and to ensure that public services are not disrupted, all personnel must be present at their duty stations. Actions will be taken against personnel participating in the strike in accordance with the relevant disciplinary provisions of the legislation, and we request all administrators to closely monitor whether personnel are present at their duties and to provide information and necessary actions regarding the identification of personnel participating in the strike."
News-Sen reacted to the aforementioned letter, stating:
"PTT General Directorate is openly instructing managers to commit crimes. Article 24 (3) of the Turkish Penal Code states, 'orders that constitute a crime cannot be executed under any circumstances. Otherwise, both the executor and the issuer of the order will be held responsible.' We call on all managers at PTT to be vigilant against the law-ignorant administration. The last sentence of Article 90 of the Constitution, amended in 2004, has accepted international human rights treaties that have been duly approved as having the force of law. In case of a conflict between national law and international treaties on the same issue, the provisions of international treaties shall apply. The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), ILO Conventions No. 87 and 98, and the UN Twin Treaties have been approved by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. These treaties explicitly guarantee the right to collective bargaining and strike for public employees. Therefore, the provisions of these treaties take precedence over the limitations of Laws No. 657 and 4688."