A major strike has halted production at Alstom’s factory in Bursa, Turkey, as more than 200 employees walked off the job demanding better pay and benefits. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

A major strike has halted production at Alstom’s factory in Bursa, Turkey, as more than 200 employees walked off the job demanding better pay and benefits.
Photo: IHA

Supported by the Turkish Railway Workers’ Union, workers launched the strike on May 20 after prolonged talks with management failed to yield a labor agreement.

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Strike negotiations stalled despite mayor’s earlier intervention

Earlier in May, the union had announced plans for industrial action. Talks briefly resumed after the mayor of Bursa stepped in, but the dispute remained unresolved.

The union said it remains open to further dialogue if Alstom agrees to reconsider its proposals and address core employee concerns. Workers argue that current wage offers are not competitive in the region.

Strike follows Alstom’s acquisition and expansion plans

Alstom acquired the factory in July 2024 by purchasing Duray Ulasim Sistemleri, a Turkish manufacturer of railcar components. At the time, the company committed to expanding production and doubling staff.

The facility was expected to supply components for global rolling stock projects. However, the current labor action casts doubt on the timeline for those expansion plans.

Alstom has not yet issued a formal response. Observers believe that successful resolution depends on the company’s willingness to revise its compensation and benefits structure.

The ongoing work stoppage underscores the importance of labor-management coordination, especially when strategic growth and international supply chains are at stake.

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