The resumption of the layoff procedures at Israel Chemicals Ltd. (TASE: ICL) subsidiary Rotem Amfert Negev has caused the union to expand its labor sanctions at the company. Employees of Dead Sea Works today joined the protests by the employees of Rotem Amfert and three other units. On Friday, the workers committees decided to disrupt exports by Israel Chemicals, instructing employees not to load or unload its cargos at Ashdod Port.
"Most of Israel Chemicals' business is exports, and employees are now refusing to unload cargos, either phosphates or potash. We're at war, and every day we will take other measures jointly decided upon," Rotem Amfert workers committee chairman Moshe Hadad said today.
Israel Chemicals' management said in response that there were no disruptions in the loading and unloading of potash cargos at Ashdod Port.
The labor sanctions at Rotem Amfert resumed on Thursday, after negotiations between the union and management broke down. With the talks stymied, management resumed the layoffs procedures for 130 of the company's 1,200 employees. The layoffs are due to the dire situation in the global phosphates market.
Rotem Amfert's management said in response to the labor sanctions, "Management deeply regrets the irresponsible conduct of the workers committee, which rejected the agreement reached between management and the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel). The committee's decision will worsen relations without any legitimacy or support, while causing the employees real harm. We call on the workers committee to stop gambling with the workers' future and to accept the proposal reached by the Histadrut, under which the employees who retire will have the best retirement conditions in Israel."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 5, 2014
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