Treasury: Airport strike ‘completely irresponsible'
By JPOST.COM STAFF
09/12/2012 00:36
Ben-Gurion airport employees implement work disruptions over stalled talks with Finance Ministry.
Strike shuts down Ben Gurion Airport (file) Photo: REUTERS
Airport launched a series of unannounced on-again-off-again strikes Tuesday,
days before one of the heaviest travel seasons kicks into high
gear.
Employees implemented the work disruptions over stalled talks with
the Finance Ministry.
The Israel Airports Authority and the workers’
committee renewed negotiations with the ministry in a last-minute effort to
resolve the issues at hand, specifically work conditions, pensions of veteran
workers and a manpower shortage, Army Radio reported.
Less than two weeks
ago, workers at Israel’s main airport disrupted air traffic over the manpower
shortage, which also followed the dismissal of some 100 temporary
workers.
The Finance Ministry released a strongly-worded statement
condemning the timing and tactics of the employees on Tuesday, accusing workers
of harming regular Israeli citizens. Striking at the airport without going
through the proper procedures, the statement said, “is completely
irresponsible,” calling it illegitimate pressure.
Last month saw an
all-time record number of passengers pass through Ben-Gurion Airport, the
Israeli Airports Authority reported Tuesday.
More than 1,600,000 people
passed through the airport in August.