Comprehensive Offer from Chairman Bozbey to BURULAŞ Employees

Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey made an important press release to inform the public about the ongoing collective labor agreement (TİS) negotiations between Bursa Transportation Mass Transportation Operation Industry and Trade Inc. (BURULAŞ) and the Railway-Labor Union. Mayor Bozbey, who emphasized that improving the living conditions of employees and also maintaining labor peace are their priorities, presented the details of the municipality's offer with figures. Bozbey said, “We are a big family of 13.800 people. We do not want to create a difference between this family. BURULAŞ employees are valuable to us, as are those working in other companies.”

Chairman Bozbey Emphasizes Transparency: “Demands Are Not Realistic Under Current Conditions”

At the beginning of his statement, Chairman Mustafa Bozbey stated that they wanted to eliminate the disinformation in the public regarding the collective bargaining agreement negotiations between BURULAŞ and the Railway Workers' Union and share correct information. Reminding that the union had decided to strike as of yesterday, Bozbey emphasized the importance of sharing this issue with the people of Bursa in accordance with the principle of transparency. Expressing that their greatest desire is for employees to have better conditions and increase their living standards, Mayor Bozbey said, “I would also like it to be known. While trying to provide the best conditions for our employees, the financial discipline and sustainability of our municipality is also indispensable for us. We always say this. We are transparent, we have an accountable understanding. Being transparent means sharing everything without any hesitation and presenting it to the public. Initially, the union management came to us with an increase rate of around 75 percent. Later, it dropped to 54 percent in the negotiations. Finally, they insisted on 47 percent and announced the strike decision. We state that these demands are not realistic demands under the current conditions. If this increase is implemented, if it is calculated based on cost only in BursaRay, the ticket price should be around 56 TL. It should be around 64 TL on long lines.”

“We Are Obliged to Spend Efficiency Without Wasting”: The Balance Responsibility of the Large Family

Mayor Bozbey reminded that the municipality also has a proposal on this issue and said that they are in favor of increasing the living standards of the workers, but they should act by considering the approximately 13.800 workers and the people of Bursa. Bozbey, who stated that the contracts were completed in other affiliate companies and that a significant improvement was achieved in the living standards of the workers with these contracts, said, “There was only a disagreement here. I would like to emphasize that the requested increase will bring a significant burden to the people of Bursa. First of all, I am a public administrator. Every penny spent is the money of the people of Bursa, the nation. It is not my money. We have to evaluate the money of every person who comes to our municipality with the taxes of our people, our tradesmen, and the business world in the best way. We have the responsibility of managing the institution with financial discipline. We have to use every resource efficiently. We are obliged to spend sparingly and without waste. We are a big family of 13.800 people. We do not want to create a difference between this family. BURULAŞ employees are valuable to us, as are those working in other companies. Each of our employees is actually a Mustafa Bozbey. They produce services accordingly and represent us. We trust all our employees. We also have to ensure and implement corporate sustainability, labor peace and internal balance.”

Offer Details in Numbers: Lowest Fee 50 Thousand TL

Emphasizing that they tried to manage the process in a consistent and positive manner, President Bozbey said that they acted with a constructive attitude, with an understanding that was in favor of labor and justice, and kept the offer at the highest level of possibilities. Explaining the details of the offer, President Bozbey said, “The lowest wage will be 50 thousand liras net. We have offered approximately 73 thousand 800 TL to our train drivers and 78 thousand 300 TL to our maintenance foremen. There is no one in our institution who receives minimum wage. The wage that bus drivers received was low. We increased them a little bit. We also consider the economic conditions and the financial situation of the municipality when making this offer. After all, this is not my money. This is the nation's money. With the money of approximately 3.3 million Bursa residents, we support our 13.800 employees by increasing their living standards, and we will continue to do so.”

Criticism of Union President's Statements: "This Statement Must Be Retracted"

President Bozbey, who also reminded the union president of the statements that did not contain peaceful language, said, “Let me say something I am sorry for. Our union president made a statement about burning BURULAŞ. I would like to express that I was offended by a union manager saying this. I am sorry on behalf of 3.3 million Bursa residents and around 13.800 of our colleagues. I want to accept this statement as unspoken. Our employees who brought BURULAŞ to this day should not accept this statement either. I also want this statement to be taken back on behalf of the people of Bursa.”

“We Made Our Offer on Behalf of 3.3 Million Bursa Citizens”: Call for Consensus

Stating that they have made sacrifices for employees during a difficult period of economic crisis and will continue to do so, Mayor Bozbey stated that even in their own proposal, BursaRay ticket prices should have been around 52 TL, but with the support they provided as a municipality, they did not reflect this increase on the people of Bursa. Mayor Bozbey, who announced that Bursa Metropolitan Municipality provides approximately 300-350 million liras of support to BURULAŞ every month, said, “The reason why ticket prices are low is that we transfer the money of the people of Bursa to the people of Bursa. If you do not give 350 million every month, you can build a new facility every month. You can finish Atatürk Sports Hall in three months. As Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, we stand by all our friends, including those working in BURULAŞ. Our greatest wish is for them to live peacefully with their families and look to the future with confidence. I would like to thank the employees of BURULAŞ for the services they have provided so far. However, I expect their understanding on this issue and their sensitivity regarding the sustainability of our institutions. I would like to remind you that we made the offer we presented on behalf of 3.3 million people of Bursa. I would like the union to evaluate our offer once again. I want the process to be concluded not by slowing down the work but by signing at the table. Each of our employees is valuable to us. We should not disrupt labor peace. We are on the side of smiling employees,” he said. President Bozbey also reminded that if the process goes to a higher arbitration, employees may face a lower increase rate, and expressed his hope that this is not desired and that a compromise will be reached. President Bozbey, who also answered questions from members of the press, added that they will continue to make efforts to ensure that the process ends positively as soon as possible.