The Histadrut has reached a new agreement with El Al, Israel’s national airline, as well as the airline’s unions for engineers, administrative staff, and aircrew.
The agreement encompasses a range of issues, including welfare, benefits, and additional payments to workers that had been suspended in 2020. The negotiations were led by Histadrut Chair Arnon Bar-David and El Al CEO Dina Ben Tal Ganancia.
The primary agreement was signed by Transportation Workers Union Chair Eyal Yadin, El Al Workers Union Chair Sharon Ben-Yitzhak, and El Al management. It restructured welfare payments and additional payments as they had been before the pandemic and regulated payments and additional rights for company employees.
Following the broad collective agreement and as a direct result of the negotiations, three additional collective agreements were signed, for maintenance workers and engineers, administrators, and aircrew, respectively. Each agreement provides additional payments for 2023 to all eligible employees in each sector, along with provisions for 2024 and 2025.
Two additional collective agreements were signed for aircrew. The first provides an agreed financial compensation for each eligible employee based on their work during the pandemic. The second agreement focuses on operational aspects, introducing changes and adjustments to the pilots’ collective bargaining agreements.
“Today, we bring important news to thousands of El Al employees,” Bar-David said after signing the main agreement. “Just as during the pandemic, when employees lent a helping hand and were an inseparable part of the rescue efforts that enabled El Al to overcome the crisis, even in these tough times of war, employees are going above and beyond for the sake of the Israeli public. I am pleased that after complex negotiations, we have reached agreements that redefine welfare conditions and benefits for employees who have given their all over the years. None of this would have been possible without attentive and professional management led by CEO Dina Ben Tal Ganancia.”
“I congratulate the agreements, as we continue to work toward achieving our goals while safeguarding the company's vital resources, the employees of El Al,” Ganancia said. “Thanks to them, we can realize our vision and offer our customers the highest standards of pleasant and professional flight experience. I am grateful to all who contributed to the agreements, which will undoubtedly lead to the success of the company.”
El Al Deputy HR Director Limor Bouzaglo also celebrated the signing of the agreements. “These agreements establish fruitful work relations and full cooperation,” she said. “I thank our union members for their partnership, collaboration, and actions for the benefit of the wonderful company workers and the company’s success. Thanks to the Histadrut and, of course, to all who contributed to the signing of the agreement.”
Transportation Workers Union Chair Yadin said that the main goal throughout the negotiation process was “the value of partnership and mutual commitment of all employees.” "I am proud that we have succeeded in making constructive steps and reaching an agreement that benefits the workers and contributes to the company's labor relations,” he said.
El Al Workers Union Chair Sharon Ben-Yitzhak also heralded the importance of the agreements. “With the company's recovery, we have reached agreements that reflect the need to restore prosperity to employees who work tirelessly, even in these challenging times of war, so that the company continues to be Israel’s stable bridge to the world,” he said.
