Statement of the Bem-Bir-Sen Presidents' Council Released
The results statement from the Bem-Bir-Sen Board of Presidents, which was attended by the General President Levent Uslu, our Deputy General Presidents, Branch/Provincial Presidents, and Commissions, has been published.
The published statement said:
"Established in 1994, Bem-Bir-Sen has become one of the most effective and largest civil society organizations in Turkey, entering its 19th year with 93 Branch and Provincial Presidents in 81 provinces. It has adopted the understanding that serving the people is serving the truth and has been a powerful and vocal representative of local government employees.
In line with the brand of the winning union, Bem-Bir-Sen has been the address of solutions and a follower of local government employees’ demands for over 30 years.
Bem-Bir-Sen, dedicated to our country and nation, carried out the Board of Presidents meeting in Edirne, the city of Sultans, with the participation of our Branch/Provincial Presidents, Disciplinary and Supervisory Boards, and commissions for Disabled Individuals and Women.
During the meeting, which emphasized the need to stand against oppression, injustice, and assault on acquired rights, and to work to protect these rights as well as acquire new ones, the following decisions were made:
• We condemn the vile terrorist attack on the facilities of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) in Kahramankazan. We pray for the martyrs of the attack and wish a speedy recovery for the injured. We denounce all forms of attacks that threaten the unity and solidarity of our nation, and we condemn every kind of terrorism.
We invite our nation to unity and solidarity against these attacks.
• As Bem-Bir-Sen organizations, we will continue to fulfill our responsibility to end the genocide, looting, and displacement perpetrated by the terrorist state of Israel in Gaza and throughout Palestine and Lebanon.
• We vehemently condemn the massacres, murders, deliberate starvation, and human rights violations against oppressed peoples, particularly in East Turkestan, which are a collective shame for humanity; we call upon all of humanity to stand against oppression and take responsibility to ensure peace, justice, freedom, and human rights prevail in our world.
• Every right earned and achievement made by local government employees today is the result of Bem-Bir-Sen's struggle, determination, and signature. Key achievements include a 100% increase in the first 5 periods’ collective agreement, a 120% social balance agreement in the 6th and 7th periods, a 100% increase in additional payments for firefighters and law enforcement personnel, an increase in special service compensation by 12 points, and many more successes related to various professional groups. We will continue to add value to the achievements of local government employees in a manner befitting the winning union brand.
• The power of labor is the power of our Turkey. The understanding that overlooks public employees in the decision-making processes of economic policies must be abandoned.
• Our proposals addressing the problems arising from high inflation must be taken into account. Additional increases beyond the 6% increment planned for January (excluding inflation differences) are necessary to alleviate the hardships faced by our public employees and to eliminate real loss.
• The provision regarding "3600 additional index for civil servants promoted to first grade and retired civil servants" made in the 7th period collective agreement must be implemented in the 2025 budget, and it should come into effect before the expiration of the collective agreement period.
• Income tax should be fixed at 15%, and public workers must be relieved from the tax burden. The “increase expenditure at source, decrease income” formula, which includes 20% and 27% brackets introduced mid-year, must be abandoned, implementing a structure where fixed income earners are stabilized at the 15% bracket.
• The financial, social, and personal rights of engineers and technical service staff must be improved, and legitimate demands in this regard should be met.
• The Law No. 4688 on Public Servants' Trade Unions must be updated in accordance with international norms, union realities, and universal principles; trade union freedoms must be increased, barriers to organization removed, and collective bargaining provisions must be fully applied. There should be processes where the achievements of collective agreements are increased, not annulled.
• The injustices in the fixed overtime payments of firefighters and law enforcement officers must be corrected, and adjustments should be made to ensure they receive full compensation for their labor.
• Commitments made in the collective agreement regarding the deterioration of the wear and tear rights of our firefighters must be addressed immediately.
• To ensure justice and the principle of competence, interviews must be eliminated in the professional advancement and title change exams.
• Public employees struggling under inflationary pressure due to the crisis that began with COVID-19, which disrupted global economic balances, must be provided relief. This includes ensuring that burdens do not fall on public employees, and the expectations of retired public servants must also be heard and met.
• Our proposal during the 2025 budget discussions to "tie per diem and overtime pay to current indicators" must be realized.
• We reiterate that we condemn the illegalities such as pressure, mobbing, demotion, and attempts to force resignation that emerged with the March 31, 2024 local government elections. Many of the lawsuits we have so far filed against these Constitution-violating actions have resulted in our favor. We want it to be known that we will continue our struggle in this regard.
Let everyone know that Bem-Bir-Sen, a great tree that has grown for thirty years, will remain steadfast and true to its roots.
In the face of all injustices and illegalities, Bem-Bir-Sen organizations are strong and united in fulfilling their duty. As the General Authorized Union of local government employees for 19 years, Bem-Bir-Sen will continue to bear the flag of the labor struggle with the same determination and resolve.
Even during periods marked by anti-democratic practices such as the February 28 process, those who did not retreat from their struggle and stood their ground on July 15 have demonstrated a noble consciousness and strong will. Bem-Bir-Sen organizations will relentlessly continue their struggle aligned with the ancient values they believe in, without succumbing to pressure or intimidation.
Understanding the secret of success, Bem-Bir-Sen organizations will continue to write the epics of struggle."