Wage Increases and Improved Conditions: New Agreement for Jerusalem Biblical Zoo Workers

The Histadrut has signed a new collective agreement for workers at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem, valid for three years and covering about 300 employees. The agreement includes an average wage increase of about 17%, a signing bonus of 2,000 shekels for full-time workers, improved conditions for security guards and their inclusion in the agreement, earlier eligibility for an education fund, and various additional benefits. The agreement was led by the Histadrut's Jerusalem district.

The Histadrut signed today (Tuesday) a new collective agreement for the workers of the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem, valid for three years, covering about 300 female and male workers. The agreement includes a gradual average wage increase of about 17% over the agreement period, a signing bonus for full-time workers of 2,000 shekels, earlier eligibility for an education fund, a significant improvement in the conditions of security guards and their inclusion in the collective agreement, a jump of two grades instead of one, and various additions such as an increase in the study allowance, a 13th salary in the 25th year of tenure, increased compensation for shift cancellation, an allowance for closing supervisors, payment for first aid duty, the possibility of early retirement, a reduction of one working hour for mothers in the first year, extended nursing time, and reduced working hours on fast days. The negotiations were led by the chairman of the Jerusalem district, Danny Bonfil, and the union secretary, Adv. Moria Sagan. The zoo's CEO, Dr. Sigal Hertz, called the agreement a "complete salary reform," and the workers' committee chair, Iris Ofir, noted the memory of Uriel Nuri, a committee member who passed away, who accompanied the negotiations.