Workers at Zim Integrated Shipping Services headquarters in Haifa began instituting sanctions last week following a deadlock in talks with company management.
The sanctions were made possible after the mandatory two-week freeze on sanctions following the workers’ committee declaration of a labor dispute had elapsed.
Avi Sheetrit workers committee chairman threatened to expand the sanctions they called, claiming management is violating their collective agreement by firing 100 workers.
According to Sheetrit the sanctions have nearly completely paralyzed services to local clients. Sheetrit added that: “We’re not going to agree to workers being forced out, only through voluntary resignations,” adding that Zim's staff had not received a 3% seniority raise or an additional 2% due them in January.
The workers committee has also claimed that Zim's management had transferred substantial activity to the Hong Kong office and to the service unit in Germany, and that the transfer of more operations abroad is in the works.
Zim's management responded to Sheetrit noting that, "There are no plans to move the company's offices overseas. Zim has branches around the world, but its core business is in Israel, where it will stay."
