Izmir's University Hospitals Face Strike Over KÇP Demands

Izmir – Members of the Sağlık-İş Confederation working at Dokuz Eylül and Ege University Hospitals in Izmir have initiated a work stoppage, refusing to start work due to their demands under the Public Collective Bargaining Protocol (KÇP) not being met and their wages eroding against inflation. Taking to the streets with the slogan "It will be what the worker says, not your table!", the workers voiced their demands for a living wage and a fair life.

The hospital workers, who did not report for duty in the morning, conveyed their demands with strong slogans in the hospital gardens and corridors. At Ege University Hospital, workers marched inside the hospital with applause, while at Dokuz Eylül University Hospital, the slogan "Victory will belong to the resisting laborer!" stood out during the press statement held in the hospital garden.

"We Are Crushed by Inflation, Misery Wage Increase is Unacceptable"

Making a statement on behalf of the union at Dokuz Eylül Hospital, Sezgin Balıkçı drew attention to rising inflation and severe cost of living issues, emphasizing the plight of public employees. Balıkçı expressed the vital nature of their demands, stating, "We do not accept the misery wage increase. We cannot make ends meet with our salaries eroding every day. We want to live a humane life now."

Günseli Uğur, speaking on behalf of the Health and Social Service Workers' Union (SES) Izmir No. 1 Branch Management, who supported the action, reacted to the pressures on workers. Uğur stated, "The culprits are not those who are afraid of being fired, but those who create this fear. Pressures cannot intimidate us. Long live our organized struggle," calling for solidarity among all healthcare workers.

Protest Process and New Steps Announced

Sağlık-İş Union announced that it would escalate its struggle against the inadequate offers in the Public Collective Bargaining Protocol. According to the action plan announced by Sezgin Balıkçı:

• As of Monday, July 7, at workplaces where the union is authorized, a two-hour work stoppage and a press statement will be held in front of the institution every morning after clocking in. Following the statements, workers will return to work with slogans.

• At workplaces where the union is not authorized, half-hour statement actions will be carried out in front of the institution every day.

• These press statements and actions will continue until the end of working hours on Tuesday, July 8.

• As one of the most important stages of the struggle, on Thursday, July 17, a full-day work stoppage will be held, utilizing the "power from production."

These actions are considered a demonstration that public hospital workers will intensify their struggle if their economic demands are not met. The unions state that they are determined to continue their resistance until concrete results are achieved in favor of public employees from the KÇP negotiations.

Source: evrensel.net