The strike, which began after negotiations for a collective labor agreement between the DISK Genel-Iş Union and SODEMSEN stalled, continues into its fifth day at the İZELMAN, IZENERJI, and Egeşehir companies affiliated with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality (İzBB). Workers gathered in front of Konak Pier, blocked Cumhuriyet Boulevard, and marched to Cumhuriyet Square. During the march, banners reading “Equal pay for equal work” were displayed, and slogans such as 'We won’t die of hunger, we won’t turn back from this path,' 'Strike, revolt, resistance,' and 'Oppression won’t intimidate us' were chanted.

Ercan Gül, Head of the General Iş Izmir Branch No. 2, said: "They turned a deaf ear to our demands. They're looking for ways to drive this into chaos. They're trying to pit us against the public. They're calling on people to ‘collect garbage.’ Instead of doing that, come and make a deal — the workers will clean İzmir spotless. Yesterday, the mayor, managers, lawyers, department heads, and others we don’t even know tried to collect our garbage. They're trying to undermine the strike, trying to trick us. But we will be patient. We won’t give in to our anger. No one will damage the livelihood of thousands of workers."

Gül added: "Let them stop touching our garbage and serve the public in their own districts. Their municipalities have also had strikes recently. How many districts had strikes, and in which ones did they collect garbage? But now they’re interfering with our bread and butter. We want justice — and one day, everyone will need that justice. Yesterday, they threatened a woman who said she supported the workers. Just like AKP mayors threatened workers, here we see a strike-breaking mayor. They’re starting to find our statements too harsh. They’re playing dirty politics. They're targeting union branch leaders who speak out to protect workers' pay. But we won’t let their dirty politics defeat a single one of our leaders. Hold accountable anyone who steals your rights or sells you out."

Engin Topal, Head of General Iş Izmir Branch No. 1, added: "In every district and municipality, numbers are thrown around. Some mayors are attacking us. It's hard to understand, but your power isn’t enough to break DISK. Bornova Mayor Ömer Ekşi is also a manager of SODEMSEN. Come, let’s resolve this at the table. The mayor of Menderes worked with us as a laborer until recently. What changed? Did you forget you were a worker once you became mayor?

We’re calling out to the metropolitan mayor: We’re not your personal employees. You were elected for four years. You have no right to act like the boss of this city. We’re exercising our constitutional rights. Your actions are criminal. Don’t try to reduce our wages to the minimum wage dictated by the AKP. Instead, let’s work together to raise the minimum wage to our level."