09.04.2026 21:41
Turkish teachers working at the Private Italian High School, one of Istanbul's historical educational institutions, decided to go on strike due to the deadlock in collective bargaining negotiations. The teachers organized a protest in front of the Provincial Directorate of National Education.
At the historic educational institution of Istanbul, the Private Italian High School, Turkish teachers working at the school decided to go on strike due to the deadlock in collective bargaining negotiations. A demonstration was organized by TEZ-KOOP in front of the Provincial Directorate of National Education.
"THE CONTRACT PROCESS CANNOT BE COMPLETED IN THIS WAY" Collective bargaining (CBA) negotiations began about 4 months ago at the Private Italian High School located in Beyoğlu. Economic conditions and inflation rates were cited as reasons for improvement requests in the negotiations conducted between the Tez-Koop-İş Union, to which the Turkish teachers working at the school are affiliated, and the school administration. Following this, it was claimed that communication between the teachers and the school administration completely broke down as of December 10. The process was brought to the strike stage after the school administration withdrew from the table and did not present a counter-offer in response to the union's proposals.
THE STRIKE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 67 DAYS The strike action of 14 Turkish teachers working at the Private Italian High School is continuing on its 67th day. The demonstration held in front of the Provincial Directorate of National Education was attended by DEM Party Istanbul Deputy Kezban Konukçu, Turkey Workers' Party (TİP) Istanbul Branches, Labor Women Platform, Workers' Democracy Party, Homeland Party, TÜRK-İŞ Istanbul Regional Representative Halil Faki Erdal, Eğitim-Sen Istanbul Branches, Tekgıda-İş Union, Turkey Health Workers' Union, Socialist Laborers Party, Republican Women Association, Workers' Unity Union, and Labor Party. At the end of the demonstration, the teachers left pens in front of the Provincial Directorate of National Education.
"THIS PROCESS CANNOT BE COMPLETED WITH A NON-BINDING DOCUMENT" Karakurt stated, "In the last meeting held with Italian officials within the consulate, a consensus has been reached. However, today we are being asked to sign a document that has no legal binding, does not qualify as a collective labor agreement, and is nothing more than a letter of intent. An approach that says, 'Today, we say yes at the table, but we may not be able to implement it tomorrow' is unacceptable. The contract process cannot be completed in this way. Collective bargaining negotiations conducted under Turkish law either result in a binding agreement or the dispute process continues. This process cannot be completed with a non-binding document. Ending the strike is only possible with real and binding contracts, not with intentions. The rights of workers can only be protected with real and legally binding contracts, not with 'intentions.' We sign for concrete rights, not for uncertainty," he said.
"WE INVITE THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION TO TAKE A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE" Karakurt said, "We invite the Ministry of National Education once again to take a constructive role. The 'replacement teacher' move made by the ministry has further exacerbated the existing problems and has led the process into a deadlock. This intervention has caused us to question the Ministry of National Education's will and impartiality in protecting the rights of teachers working in private schools. Instead of protecting its own teachers against the unlawful practices of a foreign institution, the Ministry has actually served the continuity of that unlawfulness, sending the message to all private sector teachers: 'If you seek your rights, we are on the employer's side.' We reject this dangerous message. The ministry must stop viewing private schools merely as commercial enterprises. It should stand by the hardworking teachers. This unlawful replacement model will become a sword hanging over all private sector teachers tomorrow. We will break this sword; we will resist and win not only for ourselves but for the honor and future of all our teachers in the private sector," he said.
"YOU MUST RECOGNIZE A LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACT VALID IN TURKEY" History teacher İlhan Gülek at the Italian High School stated, "We are addressing the Italian administration from here. You must recognize a legally binding contract valid in Turkey, you must sign this agreement."
"WE WILL WIN BY RESISTING UNTIL WE WIN, NO MATTER WHERE THE STRIKE GOES" Halil Faki Erdal, Turkish Workers' Istanbul 1st Region Representative, said, "We, as the Turkish-İş class, demand that the Ministry of National Education reverse the mistake it made earlier. If our demands are not met, we will resist and win by going as far as the strike goes, both as Tez-Koop-İş and Turkish-İş," he said.