Two months of postal sanctions halted by agreements

Communications Minister Ariel Attias agreed to rethink company's license and make numerous technical changes desired by union.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
postal sanctions 88 298 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
postal sanctions 88 298
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
The Israel Postal Company sanctions that have annoyed customers and caused millions of shekels in financial losses to the company over the past two months ended on Monday, the company management announced. Union chief Reuven Karazi and colleagues decided to stop the sanctions, which most recently closed all post office branches at 3 p.m. and prior to that halted diplomatic mail, the acceptance of payments to government accounts and other services. The workers have been protesting against the high bulk-mail rates that threatened to give an advantage to private messenger companies and, the union charged, instigate the dismissal of over 1,000 Israel Postal Company employees. Communications Minister Ariel Attias agreed to rethink the company's general license and to make numerous technical changes desired by the union. The introduction of higher rates, especially for bulk mail, that were to go into effect on July 1, was postponed by two months. The Israel Postal Company said it would continue to hold professional discussions with the ministry about the general license and approval of new services as demanded by company management.