Before the start of the new academic year, many universities dismissed academics without any reason and without prior notice. Arel University, Beykent University, Maltepe University, Kadir Has University, Fenerbahçe University and then Altınbaş University carried out mass dismissals.

However, these unlawful dismissals are neither the first nor the last. Foundation universities have been violating the personal rights of academics for years. According to the law, the salaries of foundation university academics, which should be equal to those of state university academics, are underpaid in many institutions. Foundation universities impose a course load on academics that exceeds what is specified by law and do not pay additional course fees. We are employed precariously under the pressure of working overtime. Thus, the profession of academics is being increasingly discredited.

In many institutions, academic leaves are denied, and we are expected to submit exploitative working conditions.

YÖK (Higher Education Council), on the other hand, does not impose any effective sanctions on foundation universities that fail to comply with clear legal provisions!

As the Foundation Universities Branch of The Private-Sector Teachers’ Union, we reiterate what we stated before: The dismissal of academics on the grounds of their fixed-term employment contracts is unlawful!

We demand an end to these unlawful practices and job security to protect academic freedom!

Under these concrete conditions, we need to take the initiative to come together and take action to stop this trend.

In the face of all conditions of oppression and exploitation, we seek our rights to live a decent life and come together in the Private Sector Teachers’ Union. We stand together under the union’s roof against unfair dismissals, overtime pressure and wage inequality.

We will stop the commercialization of academia and its implications – such as the precarious work, labour exploitation and rights violations – by a joint struggle!

PRIVATE-SECTOR TEACHERS’ UNION

FOUNDATION UNIVERSITIES BRANCH