Tens of Thousands Gather at Anadolu Square to Demand a New Offer

In response to the low wage increase proposal presented by the Public Employer during the 8th Term Collective Bargaining period, Memur-Sen organized a nationwide strike, bringing together public employees at Anadolu Square in Ankara. Thousands of public workers called for a fair and equitable new offer that includes a just share of welfare.

Memur-Sen protested the Public Employer’s insufficient wage proposal at Anadolu Square, advocating for a proposal that compensates past losses and improves living standards for public employees. Public servants from across Turkey participated in the strike and marched from the Memur-Sen Headquarters to Anadolu Square in Ankara. The rally featured speeches from Memur-Sen President Ali Yalçın, Board Members, union leaders affiliated with Memur-Sen, and thousands of public employees from all over the country. In his address, President Yalçın thanked members for coming from across the country to defend the rights of workers and laborers.

Yalçın: “Such an Offer is Unacceptable”

Interrupted repeatedly by slogans such as “Don’t stay silent, shout! Justice is a right” and “Rights-Labor-Justice, keep shouting,” Ali Yalçın emphasized that they have been fighting for 26 days to resolve the issues faced by working public employees and retirees. He reiterated that the collective bargaining table is the proper place to address these issues. While Memur-Sen has presented proposals to resolve these problems, the Public Employer offered a 10%+6% raise for 2026 and a 4%+4% raise for 2027. Yalçın stated:

"Two days ago, the Central Bank updated its expectations. Inflation is projected at 16% in 2026 and 9% in 2027. What does this mean? It means ‘we will give you a raise equal to inflation.’ A raise equal to inflation is not a raise. Inflation targets have not been met, and official inflation figures do not reflect reality. Therefore, we found the offered numbers insufficient and rejected them. We said: This offer is unacceptable; you cannot negotiate with this. Later, a 1,000 TL increase to the base salary was proposed – the method is correct, but the amount is insufficient. With 1,000 TL, what gap in a public employee’s budget can be covered? Half of a shopping basket cannot even be filled with that amount."

“No Labor Peace Without Wage Balance”

Continuing his speech, Yalçın outlined key demands including a fair share of welfare, a significant raise to the base salary, adjustments that restore equity between retirees and active employees, proportional raises, and a 15% flat income tax rate. He emphasized that the government must respond with a fair proposal that meets these demands. Highlighting that the Public Employer has ignored retirees’ hardships and the voices of employees, he stated:

"These proposals have no tangible logic, no mathematics, no consideration for welfare, and no adequate base. They ignore inflation and the cost of living. There is no fair or just approach in these offers. Essentially, the proposals disregard both active employees and retirees. The so-called budget balancing exists on paper, but where is the actual budget adjustment for retirees? There is a target inflation, but what about real inflation? There is supposed budget discipline, but how do we fix the public employee’s disrupted budget? Offers fail to address real-life challenges, and the will to lift retirees from poverty and public employees from below the subsistence level is absent. We always say: Without sharing welfare, there is no justice! Without honoring labor and hard work, social peace cannot be maintained! If wage balance is not ensured, labor peace cannot be achieved. If these are not met, there can be no agreement at the table."

While advocating for consensus and resolution at the bargaining table, Yalçın criticized the Public Employer for persisting in past mistakes:

"The Ministry of Finance fails to see market realities and imposes its own version of truth at the table. Inflation only burdens fixed-income workers, economic crises affect only fixed-income workers, budget balancing ignores public employees’ household budgets, tax cuts and incentives are given to capital while public employees are told to ‘be patient.’ Wage proposals are determined according to inflation targets, but targets have not been met since 2012. Previous collective bargaining promises, including the revision of Law 4688 and the 3,600 TL adjustment for first-degree employees, have not been fulfilled. If promises are not kept and collective bargaining provisions are not implemented, why hold this table? Such an approach is unacceptable."

“Where Will Issues Be Resolved if Not at the Table?”

Addressing the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, Yalçın stressed that cutting public salaries and passing the cost of economic instability onto public employees cannot resolve budgetary problems. He rejected the current proposal, which undermines wage fairness, disrupts salary balance, and threatens labor peace. Yalçın emphasized that if issues concerning public employees in all sectors – including bureaucracy, education, health, local government, media, culture, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, energy, and religious services – are not addressed at the bargaining table, then where will they be resolved?

Yalçın: “We Reject the Disrespect Toward Public Employees”

Pointing out salary imbalances and inequities among public employees, Yalçın stressed that returning to past inequalities will not be tolerated and the collective bargaining table is the proper venue for correction.

Yalçın: “We Are Determined to Fight Until Our Rights Are Secured”

Announcing that nationwide strikes were carried out to have their demands met, Yalçın concluded:

"No one should expect us to ignore this injustice! We are determined to fight until our rights are secured. We will continue to raise our voices. To those who attempt to obstruct our union rights, intimidate members, and break our actions – do not test our patience. I call on the Ministers of Finance and Labor: Time is short, only one day left to sign! Listen to the voices of this square. Instead of this insufficient proposal that reduces our purchasing power while Turkey grows, come with a proposal that ensures wage balance, income fairness, rescues retirees and public employees from financial hardship, closes the gap between retirees and workers, increases purchasing power through welfare shares and base salary adjustments, upholds justice and equity, and fits the Century of Turkey. Let justice prevail, and let public employees and retirees celebrate! Long live rights, labor, and justice!"

March to the Ministry of Treasury and Finance

Following the rally, Memur-Sen President Ali Yalçın, union leaders, and executive boards marched to the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, emphasizing their expectation for a new offer. Yalçın once again submitted proposals for all service branches, demanding a realistic response from the Ministry. After the strikes, rally, and march, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security requested a meeting with Memur-Sen at 18:30.