Histadrut announces general strike to begin Wednesday at 6 A.M.
Strike over public sector wage dispute to encompass all gov't ministries, local authorities, ports, trains, and border crossings.
By Zohar Blumenkrantz and Ido SolomonHistadrut labor federation Chairman Ofer Eini announced on Tuesday evening that the general strike would begin Wednesday morning, but would reach Ben Gurion international airport 24 hours later.
The strike encompasses all government ministries, local authorities (including garbage collection), government companies, ports, trains, the postal authority, the National Insurance Institute, the Israel Lands Administration, university administrations and outpatient clinics at public hospitals. Israel's border crossings with Egypt and Jordan will also close.
Bus companies and the Israel Electric Corporation would continue operating, and registered post would be handled by the postal authority.
Eini convened union leaders Tuesday morning to determine the scope and date of the major strike, which he termed "inevitable" after he and Finance Minister Roni Bar-On Sunday failed to resolve a dispute over public-sector wages.
But from the substance of informal talks between senior officials of the Airports Authority and airline executives in Israel, it appears that efforts to assure that arrivals and departures continue, will see to it that only a few flights are adversely affected by the strike.
The National Labor Court will hear a petition on Tuesday night submitted by various financial organizations requesting an injunction be issued against the strike.
The organizations say that while they do not begrudge public sector workers their basic right to strike, "the right to strike is a relative right."
In the petition, they say the strike will cause "incomprehensive damage to the public, which is not party to the conflict." The petitioners maintain that the strike will cost the economy NIS 800 million daily.
The National Labor Court has, in the past, issued an injunction against a general strike in the public sector.
In Bar-On and Eini's meeting, which was held Monday in Jerusalem, Bar-On offered a two-stage increase to public-sector wages, amounting to a one percent addition by 2009. The treasury had previously been willing to offer only a 0.2 percent increase.
Eini refused and termed the offer "insulting," adding it was "like offering to buy each worker two falafels." Histadrut officials said Eini decided against launching the strike today out of consideration for the religious public, who are observing the Jewish day of mourning of Tisha B'Av.
Finance Minister Bar-On said that complying with the Histadrut's demands for an increase of over 10 percent would exceed the budget, thereby impeding growth and unemployment. "Agreeing would compromise the government's ability to reach its objectives and combat poverty. It would keep it from helping the less affluent social strata."
Manufacturers Association chairman Shraga Brosh said he was following the negotiations closely, adding that he thought the strike could be avoided in the next 24 hours. "I am going to do everything in my power to prevent the strike. I will talk with both parties with the intention of averting this strike, which would cause tremendous damage to the Israeli economy. The business sector and the economy cannot afford so much as an hour of strike. A single day of strike would mean a loss of NIS 800 million."
The bone of contention is the Histadrut's demand that approximately 700,000 public-sector workers be given raises of ten to 13 percent. The Histadrut maintains that the last collective agreement on public-sector wages, which was signed in 2001, must be updated.
The treasury's wage director, Eli Cohen, countered the Histadrut's demands by saying that the public sector's wages had actually increased by an average 8 percent since 2001, owing to veteran workers' seniority wages and an increase in minimum wage for junior staff. At first, Cohen had refused any form of raise, until agreeing to offer a 0.2-percent raise. He later upped his offer to 0.4 percent, plus local corrections to certain workers groups.
According to Cohen, a one percent raise to public-sector wages could cost the state some NIS 800 million a year; thus the Histadrut's proposed raise could cost NIS 10-12 billion a year - a sum the government cannot afford, Cohen says.
"These demands greatly affect the national budget. We are currently negotiating adding billions of shekels for education, defense and social projects. Adding to wages would come at the expense of these issues," Cohen explained.
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Histadrut labor federation Chairman Ofer Eini. (Archive) |
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Though she'd probably claim not. After all, she's protecting a group of people who are the highest paid workers in the State, at the expense of all others. She's also against democracy, claiming that the people should exist for the government, not the other way around. Unions have their places, agriculture, sweat shops and elsewhere. However, a govt needs to serve the people and Histadrut prevents that from happening -- they actively harm the people. When the private sector shrunk 20% in the recession, H didn't lose A SINGLE State employee and is not demanding retroactive raises for that time. Break the strike!
The Dutch government does not issue warnings about Israel this summer. Why should they? scared of another war with Hezbollah? perhaps.... well I know plenty people, Jewish and Christian, who want to support the Holy Land by showing up there this summer. In August I am flying there too with my kids, to the warm sun, great beaches, tasty falafel and interesting people. Israel, here we come !!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure the tourists would be a lot happier if their baggage was handled gently by well-paid employees, than tossed around by unappreciated ones with no prospect of a real wage increase, and no means to negotiate for one. Help the tourism industry by helping the government to set its priorities! SUPPORT THE STRIKE.
Just where are you going to find strikebreakers who will work for LESS money than the people going on strike? Thailand ? If the government cared about the welfare of its citizens (when was the last time Olmert went to a kopat holim?), it would pay its workers a living wage. Direct your anger where it belongs - encourage the government to come back to negotiating table and ... SUPPORT THE STRIKE!
... for keeping those hands off the throats of the rest of us. SUPPORT THE STRIKE!
Jump where, precisely ? If you look at LA's posts, you will see where - out of the country, for better opportunity, and better treatment. And then who is going to staff our newly privatized utilities ? The politicians ? Is Olmert going to come out in his suit and tie and start fixing downed powerlines ? You're talking about Israeli citizens, not slaves. You can't tell them that they can't have their share in the economic boom because, perversely, it's bad for the economy. Unfortunately, the government seems to have forgotten that. SUPPORT THE STRIKE!
If everyone who worked in a public-sector job moved to the private sector for better pay and better treatment ... who would be left to do the public-sector work? Unless you are suggesting that the Israeli government hire foreign workers for the ports, the airports, public utilities, etc. Somehow, that doesn't seem a very secure solution to me. If the government values its ISRAELI public-sector employees, they should compensate them accordingly. Otherwise, you might find quite a lot of people taking your advice. And then, really, G-d help us all. SUPPORT THE STRIKERS!
... but are we all paid equitably ? I bet the restaurant owners, hotel operators, and government contractors see a lot more of the benefit from their work than the people who are expected to keep handling baggage for a 0.1% pay increase per year. If, while doing your part as a tour operator, you saw the value of your wages steadily decrease, and the benefits to your boss steadily increase, would you want to keep working ? No matter how civic minded you are, I'm sure you'd take exception. You are right. We all do our parts. Lets make sure that all of us are paid fairly for what we do. SUPPORT THE STRIKE!
If the government banned the unions, there would be no one left to make sure that the workers were paid a reasonable, living wage. Just the goodness of heart of those self-same, self-gratifying Knesset members. Not something I would like to have to depend on. Support your fellow citizen - support the strike, and encourage the government to play fair with its employees.
Come on, people - with the government hiking everything from tuition to bread prices, and rent and real estate skyrocketing, a 0.2% raise over 2 years represents a tremendous pay cut for the people on whose backs this economy is being built. Maybe a tax increase on the sale of luxury apartments could offset a fair wage increase ? Let's ask the people who are benefiting from the economic boom to pay for it for a change. If the worker does not stand up for himself, no one will. Support the strike!
in reply to your question, i wouldnt bother coming to Israel. The strike could go on for weeks and you could be stranded here. They really couldnt care less about your concerns. My advise as an Israeli is dont bother, go somewhere normal, i wish we could
Does Mr Eini understand economics and social justice? Is his aim just to harm the economy? Does he care about the poorer workers? Does he want to give increases to those public sector employees earning over NIS 20,000 per month? Does such an employee not have enough money for two falafels? An offer of NIS 800 million per year to the lowest paid employees alone would give them a reasonable increase in salary.
Yesterday good Jews mourned the destruction of the Temple Today we Good ISRAELIS mourn the attempted destruction of our STATE by Eini & his "New Histadrut" cohorts!!!
Judge Adler of the Labor Court should force the parties to talk but not at the cost of not allowing tourists and Israelis to enjoy their summer. Just saw that municipal services are closed EXCEPT for "kaytanot" run by the municipalities. Hmmmmm....wonder how many Histadrut workers have their kids in those day camps? Certainly makes the day off from work because of the strike more enjoyable if the little ones aren't running around the house screaming??????
Why don't they just sell Olmert's house and split the money? Whatever's left they can give to Halutz to invest.
They are aristocracy living off other people labor. Together with knesset members and labor/kadima/likud/shas parties functionaries.
There is an enormous difference, 1% versus 10%, between the government's offer and what the Histadrut is asking for. Reasonable compromise is the only honorable way out. Those who will benefit most will be public sector workers earning way below the minimum wage. Who should protect them if not the Histadrut?!
hey, i am flying in today, wednesday and will land thursday. Now it sounds like i will be able to land. I am coming in to attend ben gurion university. Does anyone know whether or not this will affect bagage handlers? If anyone knows email me. Thanks Lee
Unbelieveable. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. The tourism industry in Israel has been suffering for a while -- so much so that they've been forced to air commercials on american television: "come travel to Israel and blah blah blah." Well, now that people ARE traveling to Israel, they pull this ? Talk about chutzpah.
Never mind Tony Blair get hold of Margeret Thatcher. The Unions are bringing the country to ruin and they just do not care. We need a resposible Union with resposible laws to back them up. I wonder if they had a secret vote of the members of the Histradut how many would actually back the strike.
The National Labor court and Histradrut are a ship of Fools,alienating the public once again for their own means! If the bloated public sector workers don't like the saleries they make ,let them quit their jobs and go into the private sector,oh yeah, then they would actually have to do some work instead of sitting at their desks shatting with friends on their cell phones all day because the private sector boss wouldnot stand for an employee sitting around doing nothing all day like many public sector workers do, since they know that once they are hired they can't be fired! Olmert should stand up to these workers and tell them to get back to work or fire the bunch of them,there are many unemployed people looking for work who would br greatful for their jobs!
I am supposed to be going to Israel in a few days for my first visit. I had to build enough courage to go there in the first place. Now a strike that will hurt the tourist is to take place. I am not sure if I should cancel this and spend my time and money elsewhere. I know many others are wondering the same thing right now. Can you blame them?
I think we got a twofer here. It's a carnival game and were being played like a fiddle.
This action, by stranding American and other foreign tourists will do nothng but erode support for Israel. This is not the way to treat your friends. Not only won't they return, but before you know it they won't be your friends any more. There are other ways to hold a successful strike.
preventing the strike, making the parties sit in a locked room for 48 hours or so without food or water until they settle....You Dig ? But he won't, because the real estate lobby makes money every day on the price of housing no matter what. After all is said and done , he's a real estate mouthpiece, isn't he? What does he care? Real estate sells no matter what.
Apparently you, in diaspora in Holland, are unaware that the USofA State Department has sent out a warning to all Yankee citizens to avoid so-called Israel this summer; if they MUST go there, then they should avoid all public places. Such a lovely holiday for all pre and post zionists! It looks good on them.
My first trip to Israel as a tourist is cancelled. It is sdcary enough going over there, now strikers?
By closing the airport they are holding a whole country hostage, there should be clause making this illegal. In any other country you could land planes in neighbouring airports, for us, this would be a one-way ticket !!
The workers can get their pay raise without a strike. They should stop paying dues to the Histadrut. The fat cat union leaders will be out of their jobs, the workers will be happy, and the economy won't suffer.
From post #33 on this thread, you can easily see that this so-called 'Hannah' easily takes on all manner of identities. Do you have any policies regarding identity theft?
Excellent! This strike at the airport will interfer nicely with the zionist import of potential brain-washees; ie those who think that they might even possibly have a right to the land of others, the Palestinians.
I understand why public sector workers are planning to strike. But why punish those, including myself, who have deceided to come to Israel. Why punish people who are not part of the economic-conflict. People of Israel, I'm trying to get there and suppport you, see your beautiful country. live with you and try to understand your sorrows and difficulties.
Carmen Miranda, Did it every occur to you that there is a whole world beyond Israel? What about the tourists that come your country and support a whole sector of your economy? Perhaps we should look for other destinations?
A bad time to hold a strike. Summer holidays have started and flights are full. Full of tourists, of which half have relatives in Israel, the other half stays in hotels/kibbutz guesthouses and want to enjoy the Holy Land they love ! Tourists should be kept happy and willing to return to Israel next summer, keep them happy, do not burden them with internal financial and political problems. Last year was a terrible year for all Israelis due to the war with Hezbollah. Now tourists are pouring in again, and they are greeted with a strike at the airport, so they won't receive luggage? Bad move Histadrut!
Why do you say that people travelling are middle class? I've saved my teacher's wages for three years to take my kids to visit their grandparents for the very first time and now we can't go! Bastards! I bet Tony Blair doesn't have any problems getting out of the country.
Are you against motherhood? Never ever fail to produce a message signed by someone who calls herself 'A Mother'. That's the most anti Israeli thing you could do. You will find all the talkbackers going on shvita in protest.
The Histadrut has been the play maker in Israel for far too long. I realize it will suck to deal with the strike, but the govt should not give in at all. Let the strike go on. Have the workers sit and not make a shekel until they come to their senses. Then they will turn on the fascist leaders of the union and break them. Or outlaw the Histadrut. I've lived here 6 years and it's the same crap every year with these idiots. Bust 'em up!
Stupid move onthe part of Histrdrut, the people are not behind you infact we are against you, the strike which closes Kupat Holim Clailt, municipalities, Welfare ministry,Employment ministry hurts the most vulnerable in society here, the poor,sick and elderly! The histrudrut needs to be disbanded for the sake of the country,we are tired of being put in danger by their strikes! If the gov employees don't like their saleries then let them get jobs in the private sector,trim gov. waste,too, that way they would have more money to pay their employees with
Banana Republic
but who cares, Mr Eini just eying a political position like his predessesors PERETZ and RAMON The people will suffer from the garbage dumps in the streets of the big city s AND :no train to travel to work = no work = no money for the workers . Long live the socialist state of Israel, now in the hands of 19 families.
Is Roni Bar-on going to continue smiling blithely throughout this strike, just as he has been smiling ecstatically ever since the PM bestowed the finance minstry on him?! What is the secret of this smile?!
When you read 12's response you understand everything. These people do very little, have twp people to do one job, and go on strike without any compunction. Electric company, water, local councils, everything in the public sector is a bad joke. Privatize everything and let's see these people jump
I am a soldier on leave visiting my family in oklahoma for my sister's wedding. my plane is supposed to fly out TODAY and now I am told there is a strike? I almost didn't get my israeli passport in time due to the ministry of interior being closed the day before I flew out. luckily they lost it and it was mailed somewhere else. whew :(
Why does the ministry of finance allow this strike to continue.The cost of the strike is more than the amount that the histradute has claimed for its workers.Bar or is only causing more loss and does not even think of the nation.He is under the corrupt system of the cowardly impotant olmert and thinks only of the politicians and not the workers.The army three months ago rectified the wages in the officers salary.Olmert very generously gave the bank of israel overpayment.Why do the public servents also not have thier positions rectified.??Stop the waste of money and pay the workers.
I'm an invalid from the job that broke my back living on a small state pension. As for the private sector my son is a cook in that sector that caters for the tourists, and after tax does not even bring 4000 shekels home. So stop talking out of your arse. So he is planning to leave this country.
Stop lecturing others about their choice of work and look for a proper job that does not break your back. Grumbling won't help you. In case your current job is low paid, find yourself another job in the private sector where they pay higher salaries but demand high performance.
Because the 800 million in daily losses is losses to the economy, not to the govenrments revenue...
Is it not enough for the general public to have to keep going under rocket fire, terror, pollution, the summer heat? NOTHING justifies piled-up garbage in the street, cutting off the livelyhood of many without the benefits and privilege of being state employed.[ I myself for example as small self-employed do not enjoy the privilige of paid vacation days and sick leave, who cares?..].The Histradut is certainly not there for all citizens, it turned itself into one of those bodies where with hand shakes and smiles in front of the cameras so easily the fate is sealed for people who struggle also without this idiotic strike. I lost all trust...
If the Histradut really wants to make an impression just make the strike at Ben Gurion Internatioanl Airport, but make sure it is absolutely hermetic. No planes in or out, period. The Government doesn't care about garbage on the streets, or the average Joe not receiving health care or his puny Social Security benfits, but the Ministers will sure care about their friends vacations in Arosa being disrupted.
Invite Maggie Thatcher in to solve the problem. She knew how to deal with strikers! The fact that England's coal industry disappeared is a minor blow, but at least she didn't cave in to threats. Since then England has learnt not to strike. Israel cannot afford the luxury of striking and loosing more tourist dollars, nor the luxury of giving in every time someone wants a pay rise. It has to stop - NOW! Make the Hisdadrut illegal.
Does Mr Eini understand economics and social justice? Is his aim just to harm the economy? Does he care about the poorer workers? Does he want to give increases to those public sector employees earning over NIS 20,000 per month? An offer of NIS 800 million per year to the lowest paid employees wold give them a reasonable increase in salary.
Well, this strike relly took me by surprise. I mean.. how can you close the airport? It's plain stupid. Another thing that comes easily to ones mind is what are they going to gain from these? These closure of governament offices will affect the most the people who cannot do squat about this issue. And not only israely people... but all turists also. I for once know that I will never come to Israel again. This country is just unreliable. Just my 2 cents.
Fine !! High holyday season ,do lets strike again!!!everybody in the world will know the most unreliable spot to come for holiday is closed again. Note:Histadrut was headed by the current vice-PM Mr Ramon, so they have now the same or different interests????? Unfortunately this strike will hurt the innocent people most.
Get a real job????? Did I ask you what you do for a living? I really don't care actually. Each one of us does what they do, tour guides, garbage collectors, lawyers, doctors, clerks in an office etc....I'll do my part, you do yours. The tourists that I show Israel to eat in our restaurants (giving jobs to countless students and others), they shop in our malls (more jobs), they ride on our buses and trains (more jobs)...YOu get the idea?
The government must pay a reasonable living wage and BAN all unions! If the Knesset members have money to give themselves raises..the government for sure can find the money to pay wages. The same goes for old age pensions, disibility pension and child allowances.
I seem to remember that when American air traffic controllers went on strike Reagan fired the lot of them and brought in military personel as a temporary measure. All Israeli airports, ports and railways are strategic assets should be covered by a no strike agreement. If the workers strike fire them and replace them with new people. Pay a good salary with full benefits but make it legally binding that striking is not an option and in times of national emergency workers will be obliged, if necesssary, to work around the clock and endure any danger that occurs.
To the censor: Why did you ignore my response? I sent one about an 1.5 hours ago
You call what you do work! Get a proper job that will break your back like it broke mine, where you will sweat gallons in the summer heat. Then you will understand why the workers strike. We don't want tourist. What are we freaks in a circus for foreigners to stare at.
hmmm...most of the commentators here must be upper middle class people who are addicted to travel. Friends, the focus of the strike is beyond the airport, beyond the duty free stalls back here in Israel. Please do allow me to make you aware of the fact that most average Israelis don't travel as much as you do...all they want is a room somewhere with proper food and clothing for their families. All you want is to eat chocolate and fly away. A pity you just don't get it.
They must not be allowed to put the whole country on strike. The government & the union must be forced to come to an agreement without a strike.
Privatise the airports! You strike, your fired!
8 months ago my daughter got married on the day after the strike as a result her only grandmother scedueled to travel on the day of the strike with el al did not arrive in time for the wedding this caused her untold stress and needed medical attention on the flight! Tommorrow my entier family is due to fly to London to a family wedding (of the same family) and it looks like we are not going to get there!!!!!!!!!!!!! can you imagin how this is we are the only aunt & uncle of the chatan and my childrenb are their only cousins This is the biggest CHUTZPA around and does not create simpathy for the histadrut or Israel.
Histadrut members are already the highest wage earners in the nation. Meanwhile: 1) People in the private sector struggle 2) Budgets have been cut to all educational levels and assistance to the poor 3) Money to hospitals haven't been raised in 15 years And Histadrut is demaning a 10% raise. When will the govt remember it's power and break the union?
THE HISTADRUT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO GET ITS MIND OUT OF THE PAST. IF YOU WANT TO DRAG US BACK TO ISRAEL OF THE TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO, BE MY GUEST BUT GIVE EVERYONE WHO ENTERED THE COUNTRY SINCE THEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAVE!
If the cost of the strike to the economy is 800 million shekels a day and each 1% wage increase is 800 million shekels a year, why doesn't the stupid government offer a 7% increase instead of a week long strike ?...the end result will probably be somewhere near that figure anyway, so why waste more money as a consequence of the strike ?
Last summer the tourists that I was to take on tours didn't come because of the war. Now you are going to close the airport so the tourists that are here can't leave and new onw's can't come in. Have some rachmanut and let me make a living.
why strike NATBAG? Israel's tourism has been suffering for quite a while - so why punish those who've decided to come? And not only tourists - but also regular citizens who enter and exit the country. CHUTZPAH
THE GOVERMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO SETTLE THE STRIKE BEFORE IT BEGINS. TO ALLOW THE COUNTRY TO BE CRIPPLED IS IRRESPONSIBLE.
So let the government workers quit their low paying jobs and get jobs in the private sector and see just how long they last,it has been my experience in dealing with gov. employees that alot of them are not doing their jobs well to begin with because there is little chance that once they are hired to work for the gov,that they can get fired! The people of Israel are fed up with all the strikes called by the Histradrut and the ones most affected by any strike here are the poor,sick,elderly the population that depends on the gov.for support. The people are not behind the strike so it like the previous ones will just turn the people against you! One day the people of Israel will rise up and rebel and throwout the leadership of the histradrut because of all the strikes!