COLLECTIVE LABOUR AGREEMENT BETWEEN EMU ADMINISTRATION AND DAU-SEN

A collective labour agreement has been signed between Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Board of Trustees (BOT), EMU Rector's Office and EMU Academic Personnel Union (EMU-SEN) on Friday, 4 March 2022 at 10:00 at EMU Senate Hall. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu attended the signing session as a honoured guest. EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, DAU-SEN Chairman senior instructor Ulaş Gökçe signed the agreement on behalf of the parties. EMU Board of Trustees member Ersun Kutup, vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Hasan Demirel and EMU-SEN Financial Affairs Secretary Prof. Dr. Sami Fethi signed the agreement as the witnesses. Board of Trustees members, vice Rectors, EMU-SEN executive board members, academicians and press were present during the meeting.

“We Sign the Consensus of Civilized People"

During the signing session, EMU-SEN Chairman and senior instructor Ulaş Gökçe addressed the topic by saying; “Today we are signing the consensus of civilized people. We reached this consensus by negotiating the issues on which we disagreed, by preserving our institution, without making populism an element of conflict. The BOT and the Rector's Office fulfilled their main duties, reflecting views on our negotiations within the framework of the broad interests of the institution. We have tried to expand the economic, democratic and social rights of the workers by sticking to the principle of “If EMU stands, EMU employees also stand", that is, taking into account the long-term interests of the institution. The parties were honest with each other in the negotiations, showed empathy, saw non-conflict as a principle and we have come to this day". Chairman Ulaş Gökçe thanked EMU administration and ended his speech by saying; “We hope that this general approach and result towards reconciliation at EMU will set an example for the whole country. We hope that the attitude that will make it a principle to be a part of the solutions, not the problems, will prevail in our country".

“I Hope the Agreement Set an Example for Other Institutions"

EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın also delivered a speech during the event: “In general, our university is on its way under very difficult conditions in the economic difficulties in the world and in our country. EMU is not only a university, but also one of the most important institutions in the TRNC higher education field. EMU fulfills all its obligations by leading the way in all legal matters. At the same time, it has to set an example for other higher education institutions as the only university established by law in financial matters and especially in legislation with an ethical understanding. It should also bear this obligation. As a state university, it should also take steps to cooperate and reach consensus on cooperating with our country administrators and executing the indispensable and important policies of the state in the field of higher education. The pandemic period has been very difficult, but EMU has protected both its students and employees, and has also achieved significant success with the point it has reached in quality. EMU's success in higher education has gone beyond the borders of our country.

Today we are signing the collective labour agreement. I would like to thank EMU-SEN for their constructive attitudes, not only in the studies carried out within the scope of the collective labour agreement, but also in the legislative changes we have made, the steps we have taken regarding face-to-face education, the solutions to the economic problems our university is facing, and all the legislation we have made. It is very responsible and significant for us that they make sacrifices at certain points, especially by emphasizing the importance of sustainability without disturbing the economic structure of the institution. I appreciate their saying, "first our institution, then us". We have made changes in the previous collective labour agreement that will contribute to the working life in the most civilized way in the parts in favor of the employee. Rather than providing financial increases or other benefits; became an agreement that protects and protects the institution and enhances the rights of the employees. Therefore, I wish it to set an example for other institutions".

“I Thank Everyone who contributed to the Collective Labour Agreement"

Another speech was delivered by Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk who said: “As you are aware, the locomotive of our country's higher education is EMU; it is the apple of the eye of Famagusta in particular and of our country in general. As I have expressed at every opportunity, me and the members of the board are whole heartedly happy to serve this university as the Board of Trustees and, we are extremely proud of the achievements of our university. In this respect, the happiness of the employees of our institution is very important for the Board. With the motivation of a peaceful and happy person in an institution, the employee's performance is at a high level. But at the same time, as my friends stated, the priority is the economic sustainability of the institution and the institution. We worked with this precision and this beautiful agreement came out. If EMU exists, we exist, if not, we do not. Most importantly, an article we put in the last two collective labour agreements made me extremely happy. In that article, it says: "If our institution enters into an economic bottleneck, the agreement will be reconsidered, economic positions will be reviewed and necessary arrangements will be made." This is an extremely important article for our institution. I would like to thank all my friends who contributed to the process".

“EMU holds Great Importance"

TRNC Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu also addressed the event by saying: “When EMU is mentioned, the locomotive of universities in TRNC comes to mind. For the Ministry of National Education, EMU is a must for us in terms of its academic performance, setting an example for other universities and raising qualifications. The fact that the university is located in the Famagusta District is also a gain for Famagusta. EMU's economic performance is also very important. With nearly 2,000 faculty members and approximately 16 thousand students, EMU continues on its path without compromising its steady growth. I am someone who has stood by and contributed to EMU in its sad and happy days. The people of TRNC will continue to be proud of EMU. EMU is an institution that we value as much as TRNC. In this sense, the fact that today, with the consensus culture of the parties, for our university and our people, knowing the troubles of the period, being able to sign this agreement together by reconciliation is a behavior that should be taken as an example. As the Minister of National Education, I would like to express that we are always with our universities, especially EMU, in their journeys towards the future. I hope that this agreement brings good luck to all our employees and academic staff members.

Following the speeches, the collective labour agreement was signed. The event ended with a photo shoot.