600,000 Public Workers in Turkey Declare Strike After Wage Talks Collapse

After collective bargaining talks for the 2025–2026 public sector wage agreement ended without a deal, 600,000 public workers in Turkey have announced a nationwide strike. Türk-İş, the country’s largest labor union confederation, declared that it will post strike notices at 500 state institutions unless demands are met.

“We Will Win by Uniting”: Workers Rally in Ankara

Gathering in front of Türk-İş headquarters in Ankara, workers voiced frustration with the government’s wage proposals, which they say fail to reflect current economic realities. Protesters chanted slogans such as:

• “Şimşek, take your hands out of our pockets!”

• “No bread, no peace!”

• “We will win by uniting!”

The chants were directed at Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, whose fiscal policies have drawn criticism from unions and wage earners amid high inflation and rising living costs.

Türk-İş President Slams Wage Offers as “Insulting”

Speaking at the rally, Türk-İş President Ergün Atalay criticized the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and its proposals, claiming they amounted to a “slap in the face” for workers.

“The only ones happy with the economy today are the bosses. Workers and retirees are not,” Atalay said.
“These offers are nothing short of an insult. The state must keep its word!”

Atalay also revealed the content of wage offer notes taken by Labor Minister Vedat Işıkhan during meetings and called on the government to return to the negotiating table with a fair and realistic proposal.

What’s at Stake?

The collective bargaining process affects a wide range of public employees, including municipal workers, hospital staff, transportation and utility workers, all seeking a living wage in the face of record inflation.

As strike preparations ramp up, tensions are rising over labor rights, wage justice, and the government’s role in economic inequality.