Histadrut declares labor dispute at Dan bus company over contractor hiring

Israel's Histadrut labor federation declared a labor dispute at Dan bus company, citing unilateral hiring of hundreds of drivers through a contractor under different terms. The dispute covers about 2,300 workers.

The Transportation Workers Union within the Histadrut declared a labor dispute today (Tuesday) at Dan bus company, affecting approximately 2,300 workers. According to the union, the declaration follows unilateral moves by the company's management to absorb hundreds of drivers employed through a contractor under employment conditions different from those applying to existing drivers, in violation of binding collective agreements. The workers claim that the company did not provide full information on the absorption conditions and wages of the new drivers, and even attempted to impose a fine of 40 hours for any deviation from procedures without a proper disciplinary hearing. Uri Matuki, director of the public transportation division at the union, said: "Unfortunately, we are required to take harsh measures in order to stop the unilateral steps of management." The article notes that last month Dan members sold 5% of the company's shares for 132 million shekels, as part of the acquisition of control by a group including Clal, Leumi Partners, and Mizrahi Tefahot, led by CEO Ofir Karni, which reached 57% control.