Histadrut threatens Monday Egged bus strike

The Histadrut Labor Federation plans to call a one-day strike for Egged bus drivers Monday as a "warning" to the company's management to fall in line over wages."I hope that Egged's management will come to its senses and walk back its steps in the coming day," Histadrut transport union chairman Avi Edri said late Saturday night. He accuses Egged of taking unilateral steps that will harm thousands of bus workers' wages and working conditions.The threat follows an Egged plan to lay off 160 workers and reduce work hours as a means of cutting NIS 100 million from its annual expenditure. A strike, it said, would jeopardize the jobs of its 6,500 employees.Egged promised to keep buses running one way or another on Monday, but drivers have already been protesting in more subtle ways, showing up for work in casual clothes instead of uniforms, and turning off GPS devices that help customers know when the bus is coming.The Histadrut called the Egged union leaders to a Sunday meeting to plan for the eventuality of a strike.