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A major labor strike has brought daily life in Izmir to a near standstill, as over 23,000 municipal workers walked off the job, leaving garbage uncollected and transport services paralyzed. The protest, triggered by failed negotiations between the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and the DISK union, has stirred public outrage and seen Mayor Cemil Tugay personally take to the streets to collect trash.
Popular areas such as Alsancak, Kibris Sehitleri Avenue, and the Kordon promenade—frequented by both residents and tourists—have become overwhelmed by mounds of uncollected garbage. The resulting stench and unsanitary conditions have drawn sharp criticism from locals and business owners alike.
“This situation is a disgrace not only to Izmir but to all of Türkiye,” said Fesih Gundem, a shop owner in Kibris Sehitleri Avenue.
“Tourists from around the world come here, and now they’re welcomed by trash and bad odors. If the mayor fired all those who were hired through political favoritism, there would be no strike left.”
Another local shopkeeper, Ahmet Erduraklar, voiced fears of a public health crisis. “We can’t let our children play outside. What if a mosquito bites them? Hepatitis A, B, and C—are we supposed to fight these diseases now? People are afraid to eat in restaurants because of the smell,” he said.
Late at night, Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay was seen in Alsancak wearing gloves and loading trash bags onto garbage trucks with local business owners.
In a confrontation caught on video, Tugay clashed with DISK General-Is Union’s 2nd Branch President Ercan Gul, who tried to halt the cleanup effort. Tugay pushed back, declaring, “You have no right to stop the trash from being collected. People cannot live healthily while this garbage sits here.”
Tugay expressed his stance on the dispute via X (formerly Twitter), blaming union leaders for continuing a strike with “no logical justification” and “endangering public health.” “I will not yield to pressure or threats,” Tugay wrote.
“We are working to end this strike, but I cannot accept irresponsible demands that exceed the municipality’s financial capacity.” The city administration’s latest offer reportedly included a minimum monthly wage of ₺59,000 (over $1,500) and a maximum of ₺76,000 (over $1,900) with bonuses. Meeting the union's demands, however, would raise the annual cost from ₺24 billion (nearly $612 million) to ₺32 billion (nearly $816 million)—an amount the municipality says is unsustainable.
The strike has severely impacted city buses, which stopped running on May 29. Morning rush hour saw chaos at bus stops and interchanges, with commuters struggling to reach work, schools, and hospitals. Alternative transit systems like the metro, tram, ferry, and the IZBAN commuter rail line remain operational and are not affected by the strike.
Despite the turmoil, Tugay emphasized his respect for the workers’ right to strike. “If you believe the municipality can pay more, continue the strike,” he said in a public message to employees. “But I ask you to help ensure your union comes to the table with reasonable proposals—before it’s too late for all of us.”
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