Histadrut chairman Avi Nissenkorn is hinting at a general strike in about 10 days. Speaking today at a session of the Knesset Labor, Welfare, and Health Committee, he said, "If we succeed without a strike, it will be good for the economy. If there's no choice, and we have to fight for it, I'll fight the hardest I can to bring about a real change."
The Histadrut declared a labor dispute last Tuesday, enabling it to legally declare a general strike in another 10 days from now.
Today's session at the Knesset was devoted to a discussion of a rise in the minimum wage. Nissenkorn is demanding an increase from NIS 4,300 to NIS 5,300, a 25% hike, which would cost the state NIS 6 billion.
"Over the past 10 years, GDP has soared, while the wage earners' share has fallen from 68% to 62%," Nissenkorn asserted. "Where is the difference going? To the wealthy. There's less welfare, less health, and less education. People are talking here about balancing, but the balance was disturbed long ago, and it must be restored. If a fight is necessary, then there will be a fight. A strike is just a tool; it's not the goal. The goal is to improve the conditions, but I won't agree to let this problem be dragged out. The Histadrut will fight for social change. All the workers committees will line up in the struggle. I've chosen that the Histradrut should be a social movement, not just a slogan. I deliberately didn't choose a general dispute; I chose three specific things, in order to prove that specific change can be made: the minimum wage, reining in the contract workers phenomenon, and employment of disabled workers."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 24, 2014
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