Haifa and Ashdod port workers are expected to strike in protest against the intention to build a new port.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Finance Yair Lapid, Minister of the Economy Naftali Bennett, and Minister of Transport Yisrael Katz, do not hide their desire "to break the monopoly" and to create competition between Israel's seaports, and today, Hebrew daily "Yediot Ahronot" exposes the secret plan for the fight with the strong port unions.
The plan is codenamed "1981", after the year in which US President Ronald Reagan fired the air traffic controllers at America's airports and brought in military controllers in their stead. The government believes that the Ashdod and Haifa port workers are likely to strike in protest against the intention to construct a new port. The government has prepared several responses: bringing the army and foreign companies in to operate the ports; outlawing of strikes in vital services; warning manufacturers to stock up with materials; and opening up the Port of Eilat and Israel Shipyards for loading and unloading of goods.
Katz plans to have a new port open within five years, and to publish a tender for its construction in the next two months.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 19, 2013
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2013