Türk Metal and MESS Agree on Critical Administrative Clauses in Collective Bargaining Talks

The second round of negotiations for the 2025-2027 Turkish Metal Employers' Association (MESS) Group Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Türk Metal Union and MESS concluded with a significant step forward. Full consensus was reached on 15 administrative clauses, including critical items such as Severance Pay (Madde 52), Notice Pay (Madde 53), and Overtime Work (Madde 29). The parties are set to begin discussions on economic proposals in the third meeting scheduled for November 11, 2025.

Second Round of CBA Talks Successful: 15 Administrative Articles Accepted

Türk Metal Union, representing hundreds of thousands of workers in the metal sector, has passed a major milestone in the MESS Group Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. The second meeting, held on Friday, October 31, 2025, at the MESS Head Office in Istanbul, proved to be productive, focusing primarily on administrative clauses.

As a result of the negotiations, the employer side, MESS, accepted 15 administrative clauses proposed by Türk Metal Union without any modifications. This rapid agreement is viewed as a positive signal for the progression of the contract process.

Key Administrative Clauses Ratified

The administrative clauses accepted at the meeting directly affect the working conditions, social rights, and workplace regulations of metal workers. The key ratified articles include:

• Article 26: Periods Counted as Daily Work

• Article 27: Being Late for Work

• Article 29: Arrangement of Overtime Work

• Article 39: Method of Wage Payment

• Article 52: Severance Pay (Kıdem Tazminatı)

• Article 53: Notice Period and Pay (İhbar Tazminatı)

• Article 64: Active Military Service

• Article 65: Reserve Military Service

• Article 66: Compensation for Damages

• Article 69: Consumer Cooperative

• Article 70: Utilization of Products

• Article 72: Transfer of the Workplace to Another Employer

• Article 73: Rest Lounge

• Article 74: Training and Education of Workers

• Additional Article 1: Participation

The acceptance of critical security provisions, such as Severance Pay (Madde 52) and Notice Pay (Madde 53), in the form proposed by the union, marks a significant gain for metal workers. Furthermore, reaching a consensus on clauses directly impacting daily work life, like the Arrangement of Overtime Work (Madde 29) and Method of Wage Payment (Madde 39), was welcomed by the union side.

Focus Shifts to Economic Proposals in Third Meeting

With agreement secured on a substantial portion of the administrative clauses, the focus is now prepared to shift to the economic proposals, which are the main concern for the sector’s workforce. Key economic offers, including wage increases, social benefits, and bonuses, are expected to be tabled at the next meeting.

Türk Metal Union and MESS officials have decided to hold the third meeting of the negotiations on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM, again at the MESS Head Office. The union maintains its expectation that this positive momentum will continue with the same determination during the discussion of economic matters.