Egged drivers threaten nationwide strike on Tuesday
By SHARON UDASIN
Egged drivers are threatening a nationwide strike beginning on Tuesday at 5 a.m., if the company's management and government authorities do not come to terms over a controversial subsidy agreement by that time, the Histadrut labor federation warned on Sunday evening.Histradrut chairman Avi Nissenkorn blamed the Transportation and Finance ministries for their "foot-dragging" over the subsidy agreement, which concerns the amount the government will subsidize Egged operations in the coming years. The failure to move forward with negotiations has prevented the signing of a collective agreement in the company, bringing significant damages to the salaries of drivers, according to the Histradrut."For more than a year-and-a-half, time after time, I warned about the deepening crisis, but the Transportation and Finance ministries took advantage of the responsible behavior of the Histadrut and the workers, and continued to dry up Egged," Nissenkorn said. "Those who have already paid for this conduct are the drivers, but on the table there is a much higher price. The Transportation and Finance ministries are taking a risk that could bring down Egged, while causing a fatal blow to the transportation industry in Israel."
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