Groundbreaking collective agreement for cellular workers

The Histadrut, the management of Pelephone and Bezeq International, and the workers’ representatives signed a special collective agreement today (Tuesday). The agreement will apply to more than 3,000 employees and will be valid until 2025. The unprecedented umbrella agreement for the two companies in the Bezeq group comes alongside the regular agreements in each company. It will form an agreed framework for the joint employee representation of the two companies.

The agreement, led by the Union of Cellular, Internet and Hi-Tech Workers headed by Yaki Halutzi, achieved after extensive negotiations, includes a series of achievements and benefits for the employees, including anchoring the conditions from previous agreements. It grants a nine percent salary increase (three percent for each eligible employee in each year of three the years of the contract).

In addition to the horizontal wage increase, an unprecedented clause was agreed upon to strengthen the veteran workforce (in the salary ranges of up to the average wage in the economy), according to which wage increases will be granted to all those who have completed at least five years of work in the companies (according to the increase rate of the minimum wage and whenever it is updated in the economy ).

Also in the agreement: increasing the company’s participation in meals, increasing the welfare budget by 23% per employee per year on average, a special signing bonus of up to NIS 15,000, the company’s participation in dental insurance, the precedent-setting of working from home and a commitment to conduct negotiations to include an employee representative on the boards of directors of the companies. In addition, the agreements ensure that employees will not be fired in streamlining procedures but will be able to retire voluntarily with an increased retirement bonus unprecedented in the industry at 280%.

As part of the agreements, additional rights were given to each company:

In the Pelephone company, it was agreed between the parties that the management would undertake to maintain its ownership of the cellular network and not sell or lease it for three and a half years. Also, (compared to the rights that exist at Bezeq International) the work day will be shortened from nine to eight and a half hours, the training period for obtaining tenure will be shortened from three and a half years to three years, and the ceiling for the provision for a continuing education fund will be abolished.

It was also agreed that employees working 24/7 shifts would receive pension insurance and severance pay for overtime actually worked. In addition, an agreement was reached that Bezeq International’s business repair work will be included in the Pelephone repair lab, and outsourced workers will begin the process for direct absorption in the company.

As part of the agreements, additional rights were given to each company:
At Bezeq International, it was agreed between the parties (compared to the existing rights in Pelephone) that the rate for the value of a recovery day will be increased to 520 shekels, the value of clothing payment will be increased to one thousand shekels, and every employee over the age of 40 will be entitled to a screening test during the period of the agreement. In addition, eligibility for additional kindergarten pay will increase for children of employees up to the age of 5 (and not up to the age of 3). The eligibility for a special grant for summer camps will be increased for children of employees up to 12 (instead of up to 10 today). It was also agreed that as of January 1, 2024, two-hour workers with three years’ seniority will be entitled to a sick day payment from the first day. Participation in daily expenses allowance for eligible employees will increase to NIS 900.

Chairman of the Union of Cellular, Internet, and Hi-Tech Workers in the Histadrut, Yaki Halutzi: “Two years ago, we realized that we were facing a crisis with the Bezeq Group. We decided to establish a joint employee representation for the employees of the subsidiaries. We emphasized that we would oppose any plan to break up the workers’ union. I congratulate you on the successful agreement. We conducted a long, persistent, and fair negotiation in which we prevented layoffs and simultaneously expanded and improved employment terms. The companies will continue to move forward while compensating employees fairly. I want to thank the new management for listening and cooperating. We will walk hand in hand to benefit the employees and customers.”

Chairman of the Pelephone Workers’ Council Yehiel Shemen: “This is a precedent-setting and extraordinary agreement that significantly upgrades the conditions and rights of the employees and will make it easier for them economically and socially, especially in days when the issue of the cost of living hovers over all of us. I am proud that in a challenging and complex period for the communications market, we succeeded through the agreement To bring the companies to safe shores and create a secure future and job stability for the employees.’

Chairman of Bezeq International Workers’ Council Limor Lieberman-Lavie: “After complex negotiations and business plans that are constantly changing, we were able to sign an agreement that is a real achievement for the employees and no less important: a business perspective and focused for the company. The precedent-setting retirement conditions we achieved will give the retirees solid financial backing For the rest of the way. They deserve it in light of the dedication and perseverance they have shown in the workplace for many years.”