The strike crisis in Izmir has not been resolved! An interesting decision from President Cemil Tugay, who could not reach an agreement with the union.

31.05.2025 23:40

As 23,000 workers went on strike in Izmir, the streets were filled with piles of garbage, and no results came from the negotiations between the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and the union. The Mayor of Izmir, Cemil Tugay, stated, "Despite good faith efforts, the union leaders continue their uncompromising stance. If this uncompromising attitude persists, I will present all the union officials' proposals to the approval of the people of Izmir."

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The strike that began as a result of the deadlock in the collective bargaining process covering 23,000 employees in İZELMAN, İZENERJİ, and Egeşehir between the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and the Genel-İş union continues on its third day. Due to the strike, almost all buses have shut down, causing disruptions in transportation during the evenings.

TRASH ACCUMULATED IN THE STREETS OF IZMIR

The services of the Metropolitan Municipality have significantly come to a halt. One of the areas affected by the strike was the Municipal Cleaning Department. Due to the workers being on strike, trash has not been collected in some streets, and garbage has accumulated on Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street in the Konak district.

MAYOR TUGAY: UNION OFFICIALS CONTINUE THEIR UNCOMPROMISING ATTITUDE

No agreement has emerged from the negotiations between the union officials and the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay, stating that their proposals were not accepted, made a statement on his social media account. Mayor Tugay said: "Unfortunately, the meeting our friends had with the union officials today ended without results again. Despite all our good-faith steps, the union officials continue their uncompromising attitude from the first day. Our proposal, which contains clear figures that I communicated to the public this morning, is on the table. It is sad and concerning that the figures we proposed by pushing our municipal budget to the limit are met with such a careless attitude."

"I WILL CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR A SOLUTION"

I would like to reiterate to the people of İzmir; I will continue to strive for a solution, but I will never act "irresponsibly" even if I am under pressure and threats. The Collective Bargaining Agreement has been drawn into a sterile negotiation by the union officials. However, it seems that this process is, on the surface, a wage dispute.

I present my other questions, issues, and opinions that are outside of wages to the appreciation of the people of İzmir;

a) How should we understand the holding of a strike rally in İzmir while operations are being carried out against the municipalities in Istanbul?

b) How should we interpret the lack of a mass action against the government that cuts public resources?

c) Are you aware that the victims of the strike by public workers are the people of İzmir?

d) What is the purpose of approaching our proposals in an uncompromising manner, despite our detailed explanations of the entire budget, and coming with offers that will definitely not be accepted?

"I WILL PRESENT ALL THE PROPOSALS OF THE UNION OFFICIALS TO THE PEOPLE OF IZMIR FOR APPROVAL"

I remind you that we have a historical responsibility to carry out a joint struggle against pressure and autocracy. Together with the people of İzmir, our workers, and laborers, I will not bow to pressure and threats, I will make promises that I can keep, and I will not act irresponsibly.

If the uncompromising attitude continues, I will present all the proposals sent by the union officials to the approval of the people of İzmir. I trust the common sense of our people and workers against the approaches of the union officials that exceed the limits of reasonableness.