In what can be seen as an important initial gain for Palestinian workers working in the Settlements and the independent Union Centre WAC MAAN, it was agreed today to start negotiations in the Zarfati Garage in Mishor Adumim and so the planned strike was canceled. The meeting that took place today between representatives of the WAC and the management of Zarfati Garage came out with an agreement to start the negotiations next week.
As the workers and WAC were planning to start a strike in the Garage on Monday, July 29th (a labor dispute was announced on July 11th) the management called WAC National Coordinator Assaf Adiv a day before and suggested they were ready for talks. As result the union and the elected Workers’ Committee agreed to cancel the strike to give room for the negotiations. The meeting that took place today in the Zarfati Garage reflected the change of heart of the managers and was greeted positively by the workers.
Workers at the Zarfati Garage, residents of the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority, joined The Independent Trade Union Centre MAAN (known formally in English as WAC) and began organizing to put an end to decades of exploitation: wages lower than the legal minimum, with no proper wage slips, and without vacation, sickness pay, national insurance payments, pension contributions or overtime pay. The workers demand a legal wage with full social benefits as determined by law, and a collective agreement.
An official letter was sent to the Garage owners on June 25th announcing that 39 workers (out of a total of 60) joined WAC and asking to start negotiations for a collective agreement. However, the garage management adamantly refused to enter negotiations. For this reason, the union announced a labor dispute and will start a strike on Monday 29.7.13.
After the workers joined WAC, the management improved their wages, but it has not provided the other benefits as required by law. The garage hopes the workers will accept the improved wages and forget about the organizing initiative. But workers insist on their right to organize and feel that this move by the management only shows the force of the union.
On Monday, the workers will go on strike to demand that the garage management negotiate with them towards a collective agreement which will include all their legal rights. The solidarity vigil will express support for their justified struggle.
More in the struggle
For directions and further details, contact:
Erez Wagner, WAC coordinator in Jerusalem, 050-7596492
