The official strike of Istanbul Metro workers begins in pursuit of their rights
The workers of Istanbul Metro Company, affiliated with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), have posted the strike notice on the General Directorate building following the failure to reach an agreement in collective work contract negotiations. Members of the Railway Union affiliated with TÜRK-İŞ gathered in front of the General Directorate building in Esenler to express their protest.
Rasul Aktaş, the head of the Istanbul branch of the Railway Union, stated on behalf of the group that the negotiations for the 18th period collective work contract, which had officially begun on November 14, 2024, with the receipt of the official document, have remained inconclusive despite the 60-day legal period and 20 days of mediation.
Commencement of the strike process: Aktaş stated, as an agreement has not been reached, the mediator’s dispute report has been sent to the Railway Union’s central office, and our strike process has officially begun in accordance with Law No. 6356.
Aktaş emphasized that the collective work contract negotiations have not met their expectations so far and added, “We provide services to an average of 3.5 million passengers daily, working tirelessly day and night with the principle of ensuring safe and comfortable travel, holding the pulse of the city. We, who transport patients to hospitals, children to schools, workers to workplaces, and loved ones to each other, are not merely a transportation force but the main driving power behind the economic wheels of this city.”
Aktaş also stated that the management allocates higher monthly salaries to administrative staff, and there is a wage disparity among operational workers. He said, according to the law, we are compelled to use our productive power within the workplace to exercise the right to strike within 60 days, as no strength remains among our workers to endure this situation. It should be completely clear that if the employer does not take positive steps during this process, we will execute our legal strike with determination and complete unity.
