The Histadrut, Israel Ports Company, and the Ministry of Finance signed a special collective agreement last week, primarily adopting the public sector framework agreement for the120 employees of Israel Ports Company, the body responsible for the strategic development, supervision, and management of Israel’s seaports. Israel Ports Company serves as the parent company of the maritime transport firms in Haifa and Ashdod, which oversee maritime transportation within Israel’s ports.
Under the agreement, employees will receive salary increases amounting to hundreds of shekels per month, shorter time periods required for rank promotions, additional job positions under the collective agreement, integration of outsourced workers as full-time company employees, and a reduction in the workweek. Chair of the Transport and Seaports Workers’ Union, Eyal Yadin, stated that “the agreement brings great news for the company’s employees, who do vital work both at the company headquarters and in port operations, ensuring the growth of the port sector and the success of Israel Ports Company. We are proud of the company’s dedicated employees, whose important work contributes to the development and resilience of the Israeli economy.”
CEO of Israel Ports Company, Tiko Gadot, called the signing “a significant day for all of us, reached after a long journey.” “Signing the framework agreement is an important achievement that reflects the cooperation, understanding, and commitment of all involved in ensuring job security on one hand and maintaining the company’s stability and success on the other,” Gadot said. “The negotiation process was challenging, but we managed to reach an agreement that balances the organization’s needs with benefits for employees, serving as a strong foundation for growth. I congratulate all those involved and wish us continued success."
Nir Eisenberg, head of the Maritime Division in the Transport Workers’ Union, emphasized the importance of the company’s workforce, saying, “The high-quality human capital at Israel Ports Company is its foundation. In today’s agreement, we, together with the Histadrut, the union, and company management have provided tools and values that will drive the company’s growth and continued prosperity.”
Elkabetz, Senior Deputy to the Wage Commissioner, also welcomed the agreement, stating, “We congratulate the company’s management and workers union on signing the collective agreement to implement the 2023 framework agreement, with the necessary adaptations for the company. We expect that the salary increases granted to employees, alongside the management tools embedded in the agreement, will help the company achieve its goals and contribute to the development and efficiency of the port sector.”
Chair of the Israel Ports Company workers union, Yaakov Masri, said that “after dedicated efforts by the union chair, the head of the maritime division, and company management, we are pleased to announce our inclusion in the framework agreement. The agreement significantly improves employee wages and shortens the work week, which is major news for the employees covered by it. The agreement proves the Histadrut’s commitment and ability to protect employees and improve their working conditions and salaries, even during challenging times of changes in the company and the economy. We also thank the company’s management and CEO for their cooperation.”
The negotiations for the agreement also included Maor Mishali, professional union coordinator at the Transport Workers’ Union, Albert Levin from the Tel Aviv District, Moriah Glick from the Elad Morag law firm, and union members Hen Avidan and Or Nissim Shay. Representing management were Yaron Hadari, deputy CEO of Resources, and Moti Afriat, head of the Human Resources Unit. Representing the Ministry of Finance was Amit Inbar Ben Ze’ev.
This article was translated from Hebrew by Ronen Cohen.
