The Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) has renewed its threat to call a general strike over contract workers, after what its calls Ministry of Finance "backtracking" in negotiations. Histadrut sources say that, last week, the ministry had agreed in principle to hire some contract workers by the public sector, including cleaners, but then reversed and said that it would only "improve their terms".
As things stand at the moment, unless there is a breakthrough in tonight's meeting, tomorrow, the Histadrut will announce labor sanctions for later this week. The Histadrut believes that a general strike will cause the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce to immediately petition the National Labor Court for an injunction, and that a court hearing would create a dynamic for subsequent negotiations.
In other words, based on past National Labor Court interventions, a general strike would last no more than a day or two. For now, however, the Histadrut is relying on threats of a strike to pressure the Ministry of Finance.
Ministry of Finance sources told "Globes" that Budget Director Gal Hershkowitz has rejected the hiring of contract workers, especially cleaning staff and security guards, but that it would improve their job terms. The ministry may also agree to small-scale hiring of computer people, but only if they are working on longstanding projects at ministries with long-term contracts.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 30, 2011
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