It seems that the Histadrut got the message when it decided to forego a general strike.
A survey by the Smith Institute for "Globes" found that 83% of Israelis oppose a strike in sympathy with the ports' workers. Only 8% of respondents said that they would support such a strike, and 9% were undecided. In other words, Israeli society will not stand behind the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) if it calls a strike on this issue.
It seems that the Histadrut got the message, when it decided to forego a general strike. The survey suggests that a strike's only achievement would be to damage the union's image.
Minister of Transport Yisrael Katz said in response to the survey, "We are determined to complete the ports reform against the extortionist monopolies controlled by [Ashdod Port Company Ltd. workers committee chairman] Alon Hason and his colleagues. I suggest that Histadrut chairman Ofer Eini read the numbers carefully and not join an unjust and unnecessary fight which would seriously damage the Histadrut and organized labor."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 10, 2013
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2013