The way things are shaping up, the banks appear unlikely to strike tomorrow (Friday), but will be open for business as usual. The Bank Hapoalim works committee has instructed employees to report for work tomorrow as usual.
Bank Hapoalim is notably the only bank which, according to management and works committee sources, is about to sign an agreement for transition to a five day week, in accordance with guidelines set by Restraint of Trade Commissioner Dr. David Tadmor and Banks Examiner Zeev Abeles.
Louis Roth, chairman of the Bank Leumi works committee, told "Globes" he had instructed Bank Leumi employees to report for work tomorrow, even though no agreement has been reached with management.
Since the Labour Tribunal will be conducting a hearing this evening, and its results will not be reported until a late hour, the Bank Leumi works committee decided not to prejudice legal proceedings and the efforts being made, and cancelled tomorrow’s intended strike.
The other banks reported that no progress has been made towards an agreement between employees and management. The bank committee heads wanted the strike held tomorrow as planned. The prevailing assessment is, however, that since Bank Leumi and Bank Hapoalim will not be striking, the other committees will cancel their intended strike.