IS THE IZMIR METRO STRIKE OVER?
Greve, İzmir Metro A.Ş. and IzBB's employer union, Social Democrat Public Employers' Union, and the Railway-İş Union, which is organized in the metro and tram, it was decided that there was no consensus in the collective bargaining negotiations. The strike concerns 625 employees.
Due to the strike, metro and tram services were stopped from the morning hours. Citizens turned to buses and formed long queues. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, while sharing alternative routes, what is the strike? zamNo details were given as to when it would end.
The strike negatively affected transportation in Izmir. Citizens using the metro and tram had to turn to public transportation alternatives. Citizens turned to buses and taxis, formed long queues. The strike had a negative impact on İzmir's economy as well. Businesses and citizens using the metro and tram suffered economic losses. The strike continues between the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and the Railway-Is Union. The parties come together and continue negotiations. If the talks fail, the strike is expected to continue.
WHY ARE IZMIR METRO EMPLOYEES ON STRIKE?
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer said in a statement that İzmir Metro A.Ş., which operates the metro and tram lines. He noted that the Collective Bargaining Agreement (TİS) negotiations between Türk-İş and Demiryol-İş Union have been continuing since February 27, 2023, that an agreement could not be reached until 04.00 this morning, and strikes were started in both enterprises with the decision of the authorized union.
Soyer stated that they are the parties that want to compromise in the TİS negotiations and that they act with the understanding of equal pay for equal work. Noting that they offer metro and tram employees the best conditions among municipal companies, Soyer stated that they offered 105 thousand 25 liras with a 009 percent increase in the highest dressed net wage, while the union demanded 39 thousand 685 liras for the same wage.
Soyer said:
“We were the party that wanted to compromise in the collective bargaining negotiations. We acted with the understanding of equal pay for equal work. We offered metro and tram employees the best conditions among municipal companies. We offered 105 thousand 25 liras with an increase of 009 percent in the highest clothed net wage. The union demanded 39 thousand 685 liras for the same wage. There is a huge difference between these numbers. Unfortunately, the negotiations did not result in an agreement. With the decision of the authorized union, strikes were started in both enterprises.
We increased bus and ferry services in order to minimize the problems that may occur in public transportation. We ensure that tram stops are temporarily used as bus stops. We will continue negotiations to end the strike as soon as possible.”
Stating that the strike had a negative impact on İzmir's economy, Soyer said, "Workplaces and citizens using the metro and tram suffered economic losses. We want the strike to end and the grievances of the people of Izmir to be eliminated.”