The government’s first pay offer in collective bargaining—10% for the first half of 2026, 6% for the second half, and 4% for each half of 2027—was rejected by public sector unions representing about four million civil servants and more than two million retirees.
Memur-Sen, the authorized union for civil servants, had demanded a 10,000-lira base salary increase in 2026, along with a 10% welfare share and a 25% raise for the first half of the year. For 2027, the union sought a 7,500-lira base increase, plus 20% and 15% raises for the first and second halves, respectively—amounting to a total increase of 88% for 2026 and 47% for 2027.
Memur-Sen President Ali Yalçın called the government’s offer “unacceptable.”
“These rates do not compensate for our past losses. Therefore, we reject this frivolous offer,” he said, adding that unions would mobilize in all 81 provinces until serious offers are made.
United Public Workers’ Confederation (Birleşik Kamu-İş) President Orhan Yıldırım also warned of strike action. Ayfer Koçak, co-chair of the Confederation of Public Employees Trade Union (KESK), said the government’s offer would leave millions facing hardship and insecurity. “This proposal cannot be compromised; it can only be fought,” she said.
