The Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) declared a labor dispute in the civil service on Sunday evening, over pending reform. In the notice sent to the Civil Service Commissioner, the Histadrut said that it declared the labor dispute because of the government's unilateral decision on civil service reform.
Declaration of a labor dispute allows for a strike after a two-week cooling off period.
Since the government unilaterally announced the reform a month ago, there have been no talks. Histadrut Trade Unions Division chairman Avi Nissenkoren said, "The labor dispute was declared following the unilateral decision. Civil service reform cannot be carried out unilaterally. We are demanding that the government should avoid unilateral acts, and that any reform should be carried out by agreement, with a view to what is good for the public service and to protecting workers' rights."
Civil Servants Union chairman Ariel Yaakovi said, "We have no choice but to declare a labor dispute. The reform in its current format harms workers' rights. The Histadrut calls on the government to immediately enter into intensive negotiations."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 29, 2013
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