The KESK Izmir Branches Platform held a press conference at the BES Izmir branch to publicise the strike called for 19 December.

KESK executive member Ali Kılıç said that all the tax paid by working people was returned to them, not as "roads, water, electricity, schools and hospitals," but as "war, tear gas, arrest, persecution and death."

Kılıç added that with the peace process towards a democratic resolution of the Kurdish question military spending should be reduced, but was instead being increased. Kılıç said that they were going on strike on 19 December to warn the AKP government, adding: "We believe that everyone will support the struggle for the restoration of rights to public sector employees."