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The strike by 23,000 municipal workers in Izmir has entered its seventh day. Accumulating piles of garbage and disruptions in bus services have caused long wait times at stops and affected daily life across the city. IZELMAN workers have announced they will vote on the municipality’s latest wage offer, which includes a 30% raise for the first six months and 19% for the second.
The strike began after collective bargaining talks between the General-Is Union and the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality reached an impasse. Workers from the municipality’s subsidiaries—IZENERJI, IZELMAN, and Ege Sehir Planlama—joined the protest.
While the strike continues, bus service disruptions have led many residents to use taxis or private cars. The most significant delays have occurred during morning rush hours. Meanwhile, garbage has been left uncollected, leading to growing waste piles in several neighborhoods.
IZELMAN workers will vote on the municipality’s most recent proposal. According to reports, Mayor Cemil Tugay’s offer will be put to a ballot among the workers.
On the sixth day of the strike, union and municipality officials returned to the negotiating table. However, the talks ended without resolution.
Commenting on the strike, Mayor Cemil Tugay said, “As far as I’m concerned, the door to further negotiations with these individuals is now closed.”
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