Port strike in Israel ends

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/5543

14 January 2011

Port workers in Israel ended a two-day strike last week after an agreement was reached over pay.

The trade union division of the Israeli federation Histadrut, which represents the workers, reached a two-year wage agreement on 5 January. The workers had walked out on strike from 3-5 January in a number of Israeli ports after 10 months of negotiations between the Histadrut and the Israeli ministry of finance remained deadlocked.

The settlement was reached following negotiations between chairman of the trade union division of Histadrut Avi Nissenkorn and wage director at the ministry of finance Ilan Levin. The talks were mediated by Shraga Brosh, president of the Manufacturers’ Association and chairman of the coordinating office of the Federation of Economic Organizations.

The deal runs from February 2010 to February 2012 and gives employees an increase of three per cent annually up to a total of six per cent. In addition, “second generation employees” with fewer years of service compared with “veteran” employees will also receive an additional five per cent. These workers were not covered by earlier agreements and did not receive their full wage increase in line with a previous public sector agreement. The new settlement also includes sickness leave entitlement and an extension of annual leave.

It was also agreed that there would be a period of industrial peace during the period of the agreement and that a team would be set up to clarify disputes relating to port privatisation plans.

Commenting on the agreement, Avi Nissenkorn said: "This is a fair agreement for both parties."