30.05.2025 15:30
The strike of 23,000 workers at İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, which has been ongoing for two days, has plunged the city into chaos. While negotiations continue to end the strike, which has led to a buildup of garbage and paralysis of transportation, the union is refusing to accept the municipality's offer of a minimum net salary of 59,000 TL and is insisting on a minimum net salary of 82,000 TL.
Due to the collective labor agreement dispute between İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and the Genel-İş Union, 23,000 workers went on strike yesterday. While the strike decision of thousands of workers caused life in İzmir to come to a halt, garbage piles formed in the streets and serious problems were experienced in transportation.
THE CITY BECAME UNLIVABLE Due to disruptions in public transportation, most citizens faced congestion on the streets as they took to their private vehicles. With the addition of garbage to the traffic and transportation chaos in İzmir, the city became unlivable. Garbage mountains have reached a point that will infuriate citizens. As municipal workers did not work, every corner and street was filled with garbage piles, and the stench was unbearable.
PRESIDENT TUGAY CALLS ON THE UNION İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay, who made a statement on the matter, called on the union; "I am truly sorry for all the disruptions happening and that will happen in our city as a result of the strike decision given due to our inability to reach an agreement with the union representing our companies İzenerji and İzelman. Our colleagues reached out to the union representatives again this morning. We reiterated that we are open to negotiations 24/7. It is our duty to find a solution. I want to express again that the conditions we are in are tying our hands."
I believe we have made a good offer for our colleagues to receive the best possible wages. The understanding of "equal pay for equal work" is certainly just and correct. However, I think none of us have the right to turn a irresponsibility into a bigger problem with another irresponsibility and to put the municipality under a burden it cannot handle. My call to the union representatives is; Let’s continue to talk with common sense and seek compromise. I am waiting for you."
UNION'S STATEMENT: WE DEMAND A 65% RAISE Engin Topal, the President of Genel-İş İzmir Branch No. 1, stated that they are trying to solve the problem at the table, saying, "How long will we remain silent?" Topal used the following expressions: "During election time, we are citizens, during collective labor agreement time, we are fed to the public. There is a way to use workers as fodder for the public. They said, 'We demand a 65% raise.' We revised the figures at the table, shared them on our social media accounts, shared them on the Genel-İş page, have some decency. We are not asking for a raise that will create a revolution.
We are not playing games. Today, everyone will come to the area with their children and we will show the people of İzmir that we are right. We are not here to have a picnic; we are here to fight against those who mock our intelligence. Those who hold back today will not have a say tomorrow. Whether it is the sun, rain, or beating, we will accept it. We must make it clear to both the people of İzmir and the Metropolitan Municipality that the burden on our backs does not belong to us. The knife has gone through the bone; we will be in the square without saying whether it will pierce our liver or heart tomorrow.
WORKERS ON STRIKE MARCH Meanwhile, thousands of workers who are members of Genel-İş and work in İZELMAN, İZENERJİ, and EGEŞEHİR companies gathered in front of Konak Pier from the morning hours. The workers, who later started to march, frequently chanted slogans. The employees of the metropolitan municipality, who came out to Fevzi Paşa Boulevard from Konak Square and its surroundings, held a sit-in for a while. The road was closed to traffic due to the protest. Long vehicle queues formed on the roads leading to Mustafa Kemal Coastal Boulevard. The workers, who ended the sit-in, marched to Kültürpark, where İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay's office is located. After waiting for a while in Kültürpark, the workers then proceeded to Gündoğdu Square, where a press statement would be made.
WORKERS' DEMAND: A MINIMUM NET SALARY OF 82,000 TL While the strike continues, the demands of the workers and the municipality's offer are also a topic of discussion. The union does not accept the municipality's offer of a minimum net salary of 59,000 TL, while insisting on a minimum net salary of 82,000 TL.