Unity for the Future of Our Artists: A Solution-Oriented Dialogue Meeting

JOINING FORCES FOR OUR ARTISTS' FUTURE: A SOLUTION-ORIENTED DIALOGUE MEETING

As the Culture Workers' Union, hosted by the Director General of the State Opera and Ballet, Mr. Tan Sağtürk, and with the participation of institution executives Mr. Volkan Ersoy and Mr. Fatih Tunasoy together with our union representatives, we held an extremely productive consultation meeting that will light the way for our artists' future.

1. Salary Improvements and Financial Problems

The core problem: it was emphasised that artists' salaries are severely inadequate and are damaging morale.

Proposed solutions: our union noted that demands such as "merging salary, bonuses and incentives" run up against the current legal framework. Instead, we explained that we are focusing on formulas such as a "duty compensation" — one that would not affect other groups of public servants (creating no domino effect) and that has a constitutional basis. The demand for an across-the-board raise was also put on the agenda.

2. Union Activity and Strategy

The inadequacy of the current system: union representatives stressed that being the "authorised union" under the current Law No. 4688 means little in practice, because demands are rejected as early as the committee stage on the grounds that they are "not in conformity with the legislation" and never even reach the main bargaining table.

The new strategy: they stated that they are focusing on quality (merit-based, legally grounded files) rather than quantity (membership numbers). The new strategy is to lobby directly with the Presidency and the relevant units in order to mobilise the Ministry of Finance.

3. The Need for New, Comprehensive Artists' Legislation

The most fundamental need: it was noted that the current laws do not define the internal professional groups — artist, director, curator and so on — which leads to legal gaps and contradictory court decisions.

The goal: if a purpose-built law is enacted, the "contrary to the legislation" objection will have been removed.

4. Disciplinary Provisions and the Incentive System

The incentive problem: it was discussed that, because of low salaries, the current incentive system is granted to all artists in some institutions, while in others it is used as an instrument of punishment.

The disciplinary regulation: in the ongoing work on the new disciplinary regulation, both the union and the Directorate General agreed that a balanced system must be established — one that includes not only punishment but also a reward mechanism.

6. Conclusion and Agreed Steps

At the end of the meeting, it was seen that our union and the Directorate General had agreed to open a space for joint work. Continuity of the communication channels was agreed.

Both sides expressed their determination to continue high-level lobbying through their own channels on all issues, to manage the process together, and to do their part in a joint struggle to improve artists' rights.

Culture Workers' Union