Negotiations continue for 600,000 public sector workers: Second wage offer on the way
The second offer in the collective bargaining negotiations concerning approximately 600,000 workers employed in public institutions will be announced next week. While the initial offer fell far short of expectations, it is being discussed in political circles that TÜHİS may revise the new wage increase rate to the 20-10 percent band.
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During the collective bargaining process, the Türk-İş and Hak-İş confederations submitted their joint demands to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security on February 27. The labor side is demanding that the lowest daily wage for 2025 be increased to 1,800 TL, followed by a 50 percent increase for the first 6 months, 25 percent for the second 6 months and the first 6 months of 2026, and an additional 10 percent welfare share for other periods.
TÜHİS'S INITIAL OFFER CAUSED DISAPPOINTMENT
In the first official meeting held on June 13, the Turkish Heavy Industry and Service Sector Public Employers' Union (TÜHİS), which represents public employers, presented its first wage increase offer for 2025.
Accordingly:
16 percent for the first 6 months of 2025,
8 percent for the second 6 months,
7 percent for the first 6 months of 2026,
and 5 percent for the second 6 months were proposed.
The labor side rejected this offer, finding it insufficient and detached from reality in terms of both wage increases and social rights.
WILL A 20-10 PERCENT FORMULA COME IN THE SECOND OFFER?
While negotiations continue for the parties to reach a consensus, the second offer that TÜHİS will present next week is eagerly awaited. According to reports from behind the scenes, it is stated that TÜHİS may raise the increase to 20 percent for the first 6 months of 2025 and to 10 percent for the second 6 months.
WHAT OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE?
According to the news in Sabah, the second offer for public workers is expected to be made at the beginning of next week. The new second offer will be negotiated at the meeting where representatives of TÜHİS, Türk-İş, and Hak-İş will come together. According to reports from behind the scenes, TÜHİS is expected to offer a 20 percent increase for the first six months of 2025 and a 10 percent increase for the second six months. It is suggested that these figures could be slightly more flexible during negotiations, potentially approaching 25 percent for the first six months and remaining in the 11-12 percent band for the second six months, though it is argued that this option is difficult to implement.