For the first time since port reform: Trade Union declared labor disputes at Ashdod port

Tensions between Ashdod Port’s management and workers intensified in recent months, and reached a peak in the last few weeks
 
The Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) declared last week several labor disputes for almost all dock-workers sector at the Ashdod port company except managerial staff. The declaration is known to be the first labor dispute declared since the port reform was initiated two years ago.
 
The disruptions and sanction utterly contravene the Ashdod Port workers committee’s commitments to preserve industrial quiet under the ports reform agreement. The sanctions are severely affecting the port’s regular operations, and, most of all, its reputation among its customers.
 
Chamber of Shipping president Reuven Zuck said, “This is a gross violation of the labor agreements under which the workers committee promised industrial quiet for five years.”
The Chamber of Shipping warned last week shipping agents and companies about operational disruptions at Ashdod Port in about two weeks.
 
Tensions between Ashdod Port’s management and workers intensified in recent months, and reached a peak in the last few weeks. The operations workers claim that management, headed by Ashdod Port Co. chairperson Iris Stark, is not honoring agreements.
 
Ashdod Port Company CEO Shuki Sagis said in response, that The Histadrut decision to support port workers violates industrial quiet that is basis of the ports reform agreement signed by both the workers and the Histadrut.