Pink Pledge Initiative to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

This afternoon, the Histadrut, Na’amat, and the “One in Nine”—an NFP that promotes breast cancer awareness—signed a groundbreaking agreement that will see the Histadrut promote awareness, early detection, and support to affected workers through collective agreements and workers’ councils’ work.

“By including a clause in collective bargaining agreements that facilitates on-site breast examinations and by mobilizing employees, employers, and management, we can save lives.” – Arnon Bar-David

The “Pink Pledge” initiative of One in Nine requires workplaces and organizations to commit to activities that promote early detection of breast cancer, awareness of employees, and proactive support for workers fighting the disease. But more than any other organization, the pledge of the Histadrut and Na’amat marks a significant step forward in the fight against breast cancer as it will roll out to all the labor unions and works councils in Israel – expecting to reach all 800,000 + Histadrut members.

The agreement, signed by Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David and Na’amat Chairwoman Hagit Pe’er, and One in Nine CEO Tali Rosin, outlines a joint commitment to educate workers about the importance of early detection and to provide comprehensive support to women diagnosed with breast cancer, their survivors, and their families. It aims to make workplaces more supportive environments for women facing breast cancer.

The Histadrut and Na’amat agreed to pursue the inclusion of a clause in new collective bargaining agreements that will allow female employees to undergo annual breast examinations by a breast surgeon at their workplace. The employer will cover this service, and employees will receive a summary of the medical examination, which they can use if needed for follow-up sessions with their health insurer.

One in Nine, will provide participating workplaces with practical tools and resources to raise awareness and implement educational programs. As the leading local organization dedicated to breast cancer awareness and support, operating for over three decades, One in Nine has the insight and capacity to provide needed support to those affected by breast cancer, and effectively promote awareness for early detection.

Through this agreement, Histadrut members who are affected by the disease will be able to receive a range of services from “One in Nine,” including mentorship for workers fighting the disease, legal assistance in pursuing all matters related to the disease, and emotional support such as subsidized therapy sessions and participation in support groups.

It was also agreed that employees diagnosed with other types of cancer can receive assistance from “One in Nine” via connections to other relevant support organizations.

“The power of labor unions and works councils can drive real change,” said Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David. “By including a clause in collective bargaining agreements that facilitates on-site breast examinations and by mobilizing employees, employers, and management, we can save lives. Early detection significantly increases survival rates and reduces the need for more invasive treatments.”

Na’amat Chairwoman Hagit Pe’er added, “This new collaboration with the Histadrut and the workers’ councils to raise awareness represents a powerful force in the fight against breast cancer. By bringing information about the importance of early detection directly to the workplaces of hundreds of thousands of women, we will significantly increase the number of women who undergo screening and help prevent and detect cancer at an early stage.”

“One in Nine is proud to lead this social initiative aimed at saving lives,” said Tali Rosin, CEO of One in Nine. “The commitment of Na’amat and the Histadrut is a significant milestone in raising awareness about early detection. The [One in Nine’s] risk assessment questionnaire, which is part of the agreement, will also highlight the need for personalized screening.”

If you read this article from Israel, please consider contacting One in Nine to see how your workplace or community can promote early detection and awareness.