Israeli and Palestinian unions make breakthrough agreement

Twenty Israeli and Palestinian transport union representatives met for two days in Cyprus to tackle common issues.Both sides agreed to establish a joint liaison committee
 
Israeli and Palestinian transport trade unions reached a ground breaking agreement at a meeting in Cyprus organized by the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation).
 
The agreement was signed by Avi Edri, Chairman of the Histadrut Transportation Workers’ Union; Naser Yunes, President of the Palestinian General Federation of Transport Workers; and David Cockroft, ITF General Secretary.
 
The Palestinian transport workers union is part of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU).
 
The PGFTU consists of 13 national unions, each with regional and local organizations, in sectors such as Hotel/Tourism, Hospital, Textile/Clothing and Construction. It is estimated to have a membership of approximately 270,000, nearly 75% of Palestinian workers.
 
In addition to a 30-member National Executive Committee (17 members from the West Bank, 13 from Gaza) there are also central departments, including Organization, Education, Legal, Women’s and Media/International. It has a headquarters in the West Bank cityof Nablus with a second office in Gaza.
 
Twenty Israeli and Palestinian transport union representatives met for two days in Cyprus to tackle common issues.
 
Both sides agreed to establish a joint liaison committee to deal with practical problems faced by transport workers in the region and build trust between Israeli and Palestinian transport unions.
 
The committee will also focus on the problems faced by Palestinian transport workers at military checkpoints - a major concern for Palestinian drivers.
 
Naser Yunes & Avi Edri called on the ITF to maintain its role in supporting this initiative.
 
David Cockroft committed himself to visiting the unions during the next 12 months. The declaration commits both unions to regular meetings of the joint liaison committee.