Public Workers’ Strike Halts Rail Transport Across 5 Cities in Türkiye
Public Workers’ Strike Halts Rail Transport
A one-day strike by public sector unions, led by Memur-Sen, over the government’s insufficient wage increase offer brought Türkiye’s railway system to a standstill.
The strike caused major disruptions in Izmir, Aydın, Denizli, Zonguldak, and Karabük. In Izmir, the İZBAN commuter rail line — the backbone of the city’s urban transport — suspended all operations, leaving tens of thousands of commuters stranded at stations.
TCDD Warns Striking Employees
A leaked urgent document issued by TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., signed by General Manager Ufuk Yalçın, underscored the government’s hardline stance. The statement reminded employees that under Law No. 4688, public servants are not granted the right to strike or walk out, and warned that participating in the protest constitutes a legal offense.
The document further noted that disciplinary actions would be initiated against staff who joined the strike, urging administrators to closely monitor and identify participants.
Passenger Outrage
Despite train operations being halted, ticket sales continued, triggering public backlash. Thousands of citizens who had purchased tickets or attempted to commute faced long queues and severe delays. Many criticized TCDD for failing to suspend sales despite knowing services would be canceled.
Authorities announced that the disruption was expected to persist throughout the day, with station updates posted on TCDD’s official website.
