For the first time in decades, Hebrew daily "Ma'ariv" is no longer printed at its own printing house, after publisher Shlomo Ben-Tzvi shut it down. The printing house's 50 remaining employees have gathered today outside the building in Bat Yam, because the newspaper has not yet approved their retirement agreement, due to a dispute with the trustee. Posters have been placed on the fence denouncing Ben-Tzvi.
Last Thursday, "Ma'ariv" stopped being printed at the printing house, and employees arrived to locked gates.
"Ma'ariv" is now being printed by the printing houses of dailies "Globes" and "Haaretz".
When Ben-Tzvi acquired "Ma'ariv" seven months ago, he agreed to keep the printing house operating for 18 months, and to employ its staff. However, he decided to close the printing house, after realizing that it was not profitable.
The printing house's employees, who are represented by the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel), reached an agreement for voluntary retirement, but the agreement has not yet been approved, leaving the employees hanging. The printing house's staff has been slashed from 500 to fewer than 50 in the past few months.
"We want a written commitment that the days when the paper was not printed will be counted as workdays and not as part of the voluntary retirement agreement," an employee told "Globes". Another employee added, "We have no agreement, we have no layoff notices, and the printing has moved elsewhere."
"We've been deceived and lied to from the beginning," an employee told "Globes". "It was always intended to close the printing house. There were offers to buy the newspaper with the printing house, and it's unclear why they decided to sell it to Ben-Tzvi. The workers also protested against the Histadrut, which did not stand by them."
"Ma'ariv" said in response, "The printing house has been inactive for a week, in accordance with the agreement signed with the workers' representatives and the Histadrut. The agreement is now waiting for final approval by the court."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 23, 2013
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2013