Turkish public sector workers to go on strike: Union

ISTANBUL

The strike will now aim at a “democratic Turkey” instead of raising concerns over legal changes, according to a statement made by KESK General Secretary İsmail Hakkı Tombul. Hürriyet Daily News photo by Selahattin Sönmez

The Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK) has announced a decision to strike starting at noon tomorrow, in response to the government’s heavy-handed response to the Taksim Gezi Park protests in a move that could see hundreds of thousands of public servants walk off the job.

The strike, which was initially set to protest against the upcoming changes in the public sector workers’ law, was moved ahead to June 4 due to the ongoing Gezi Park protests, while KESK called for solidarity from all other unions.

The strike will now aim at a “democratic Turkey” instead of raising concerns over legal changes, according to a statement made by KESK General Secretary İsmail Hakkı Tombul, adding that around 250,000 public servants will be dressed in black and sport black ribbons at work tomorrow before stopping at noon.

KESK will be meeting with representatives from the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK), the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), the Turkish Engineers Association and the Turkish Architects Associations later today to further discuss the strikes.

The unions are expected to make a decision this afternoon.