23.03.09

WAC demands to reopen the compensation settlement of Pri Galil workers

A group of workers at Pri Galil Industries, represented by WAC and its lawyers, Adv. Eran Golan and Eyad Khalaile, filed an urgent petition to the Haifa district court on March 12, requesting that the terms of the purchase settlement include all workers whatsoever, and that the distribution of compensation (severance pay and other payable social benefits) be equal. The petition was handled on court proceedings re the purchase of Pri Galil by a Supermarket CO. "Hatzi Hinam".

The applicants, Arabs and Jews alike, object to the settlement which was arbitrated by the Histadrut (Israeli labour union). WAC contends that it is discriminatory towards the majority of the workers: on the face of it the struggle was presented under the false pretense of equality to all workers, promising even distribution of any compensation obtained. In effect, it turned out that a small group of workers was promised to receive better compensation whereas the rest were left empty-handed.

According to the petition there were four types of workers at Pri Galil, contractor workers were at the bottom of the pyramid with meager salaries. Out of 520 employees only 50 were permanent workers included in a collective work agreement. Namely, less than 10% of the total workforce.

Workers unionized by WAC hold that it is inconceivable that a settlement reached and ratified in court, legitimatized exploitative work practices customary in Pri Galil for years. The petition aims at equal distribution of compensation, as well as putting an end to abusive and discriminatory employment practices which perpetuate poverty.

In light of an estimated dramatic increase in unemployment rates, it is high time that the government get to the bottom of the crisis by creating workplaces, nationalizing factories and operating them for the good of the workers and the general public. Combined with adequate supervision, this would ensure that proper employment practices are observed.

The global crisis we face today is not merely a periodical recession, and the estimates of the Histadrut's leader that within a year or two, everything would get back to normal, are far-fetched. While the Histadrut gives its consent to legitimatizing exploitative employment practices which were common up until today, and find investors to keep Pri Galil running in the same manner which brought it to bankruptcy, WAC holds that the current crisis requires taking a revised approach, and demands that employment practices guarantee adequate salaries. WAC is concerned that without this the so called "savior" of the plant might end up as a fake relief and soon the plant will be closed.

WAC opens its doors to Arab and Jewish workers in financial dire straits due to the global crisis, and the lack of labour union protection. It also serves as a reliable address to workers, capable of taking the lead of their struggle while building a new and democratic labour union.