Monday, January 9, 2012

Bethel Finance: Strike hits rail services

www.bethelfinance.com
Bethel Finance news:
Strike action has disrupted rail services this morning. The lines between the Harishonim station in Rishon LeZion and Tel Aviv, and from Jerusalem's Malha station to Tel Aviv, were strikebound in both directions, Galei Tzahal (Israel Army Radio) reports.

Israel Railways management announced that it would make alternative means of transport available to travelers. The management intends to apply to the regional Labor Court this morning for an injunction against the sanctions by rail workers.

A week ago, the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) threatened severe strike action on the railways, explaining that negotiations on the plan by Israel Railways and the Ministry of Finance for outsourcing of maintenance work on new rolling stock. Such a move will eventually lead to the closure of the Israel Railways maintenance division, which will weaken the power of the Israel Railways workforce.

Canadian company Bombardier has in effect been assured of the maintenance work as part of a contract for the supply of new passenger cars. The Histadrut claims that this is not only a form of privatization, which will adversely affect Israel Railways workers, but also a waste of money, as Bombardier will have to construct new maintenance sheds.

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