"Israel Railways has a 40-person workers committee, most of whom are good and professional people, who do not lend a hand to violence. Only four them instigate violence rather than a union campaign," Israel Railways CEO Boaz Zafrir told “IDF Radio" (Galei Zahal) today.
Zafrir was referring to a threat by the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel), under chairman Ofer Eini, to strike the railways and all public transportation tomorrow, after Israel Railways fired two members of the workers committee and suspended its chairwoman, Gila Edri.
"Throughout the legitimate union campaign, which has lasted 18 months, we offered the employees many alternatives regarding the maintenance of Israel Railways," said Zafrir. "We don’t want this explosion. We want to improve the railways, which are in catastrophic condition. Train maintenance is in terrible shape, and the workers committee is using every means possible, including violence, to prevent an improvement."
Asked if passengers were in danger, Zafrir replied, "There is no risk to passengers, but there is a risk to the continued existence of railway equipment. The delays and breakdowns of passenger trains are partly because of this situation."
As for Edri's job, Zafrir said, "I will not ask to fire her. After three months, Edri will return to her job."
"We're in a situation in which we will not accept any violence," Zafrir said. "We have zero tolerance for violence. We'll take harsh disciplinary measures against these people (the workers committee members) because of their violence toward workers, managers, and me. We’re not talking about suppressing the campaign."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 26, 2012
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