Port workers join the Histadrut

The Histadrut, the HCT (Hadarom Container Terminal) Ashdod South Port management, and the workers’ representatives signed today (Sunday) the first collective bargaining agreement that will apply to approximately 230 workers. The agreement provides job security in the company and improves the working and employment conditions of the employees, and will be in effect from January 1, 2023, for three and a half years. As part of the agreement, port employees will receive significant wage increases in addition to signing, establishment, and productivity bonuses. Port workers will also receive an increase in travel allowance, an increase in the number of annual vacation days, participation in expenses for preschool children, an increase in gifts for holidays and special events, and an equalization of the recovery day rate to the public sector, all – retroactively from January 1, 2023. It was also agreed on a budget for the welfare of the employees, on an occupational security mechanism, and on increasing the times of breaks during work. The innovative South Port was established to respond to the economy’s growing, developing, and changing needs in everything related to maritime trade as part of a vision to strengthen Israel’s economy thanks to advanced and developed maritime gateways. The construction of the port was completed in 2021, and since then, it has continued to develop, grow, and progress. 

The Chairman of the Histadrut, Arnon Bar-David, welcomed the agreement: “This is one of the most advanced collective agreements, which is appropriate for the new era in relations between employees and employers. The agreement benefits the employees and the management, who will work with an organized and responsible workers’ committee. I congratulate the port and its employees for joining the Histadrut family and thank all the parties participating in the cooperation. These days, the Histadrut proves the importance of the power of collective agreements in promoting employment and maintaining the economy’s stability.”

CEO of Namal Darom, Eyal Baruch: “Namal Darom is a technologically modern port in which the human resource is the most important of all. We see the employees as full partners. We are happy and proud to conduct a substantive dialogue with the employee representatives and are convinced that the collective agreement will allow for continued growth and development of the port and continued excellent service provision for our customers with the best systems in the world. Our goal is to be the best port in Israel, and we are on our way there. I thank all those involved in the craft, Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar David for his cooperation, attention, and openness, and Workers’ Committee Chairman Dan Bitton, who led the committee with determination and understanding.”

The Director of the Maritime Division of the Transportation Workers Union, Attorney Nir Eisenberg: “I congratulate the South Port workers for joining the family of unionized port workers in the Transportation Workers Union. With the signing of the first agreement, the port workers receive a dramatic improvement in their wages and employment conditions and occupational security. We have proven that cooperation and healthy dialogue between the parties is the recipe for success.”

Chairman of the South Port workers’ committee, Dan Bitton: “After complex negotiations, I am happy that we have reached an agreement regarding the collective agreement, which will establish the status and occupational security of the workers, will give them wage increases as well as a future earning horizon. On behalf of myself and all the members of the committee and the employees of the South Port, I thank Eyal Baruch, the CEO of the South Port, and Liat Glazman, the human resources manager, for their cooperation and willingness to help the employees. I am confident that we will lead the South Port to significant achievements.”