At the end of a long hearing at the Tel Aviv District Labor Court today, representatives of Israel Railways management and workers committee agreed that they would hold talks through July 1, during which period no strikes or labor disruptions will take place. At the same time, management will not take any unilateral measures.
Under the agreement, which received the status of a court decision, the parties will notify the court of the progress of the talks every ten days. Senior Ministry of Transport officials and Histadrut chairman Ofer Eini will participate in the talks.
The talks will cover train safety, implementation of the public sector salary agreement, and management's plan to privatize Israel Railways' maintenance network.
The workers committee welcomed the agreement, saying, "All we wanted was for them to talk with us, and it's a pity that we achieved this only through the courts."
As "Globes" reported yesterday, Eini decided to use all his power and prestige to prevent the privatization of Israel Railways' maintenance network. At the real estate conference held by Hebrew business daily "Calcalist" this morning, he said, "A month ago, I heard the transport minister speak in a militant manner and threatening to shut down the railways over safety. I haven’t spoken to the media until now in order to give a chance for dialogue, but I tell the transport minister unequivocally that you will find me and the Histadrut full partners on the matter of safety. Passenger safety is important, and we will contribute all we can on this matter. However, if all the talk about safety is meant to conceal the privatization of the railways, I tell you that you will face my full power."
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