Work at Ashdod Port Company Ltd. came to a halt today at the order of workers committee chairman Alon Hassan, because of a dispute with management over work safety. Management said in response that this wildcat strike was because of a hasty and irresponsible decision by Hassan.
In April, two container tow drivers were injured, one seriously, in a head-on collision. By law, the incident was sent to the police for investigation. The police summoned the two drivers for questioning under warning on suspicion of negligence. In response to these developments, Hassan demanded that another worker join the drivers in the dozens of the port's container towing trucks in order to direct the drivers.
When Ashdod Port's management rejected the demand, this afternoon, Hassan ordered all wharf workers to immediately leave their posts until further notice. All work came to a halt, and a long line of trucks is now waiting and the handling of container ships has been halted.
The Ashdod Port management says that the workers committee is in violation of the position of the port's transport safety officer. It adds that last month's accident was a head-on collision and would probably not have been avoided were another man in the cabin next to the driver. It also says that Hassan's demand is unrealistic, as it would mean the addition of scores of positions that do not exist.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 25, 2014
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