The struggle at Zarfaty Garage is precedent setting. It is the first time that Palestinian workers in the West Bank settlements organize themselves to win a union voice and negotiate a collective agreement.
WAC-MAAN National Director Assaf Adiv to Att. Shlomo Yitzhaki, Commissioner of Labour Relations, Israel Ministry of Economy
On Thursday, July 31, Maaleh Adumim police revoked the work permit of Hatem Abu Ziadeh, a Palestinian who served as chair of the Workers’ Committee at the Zarfati Garage.
Hatem Abu Ziadeh, who led the worker’s organization in Zarfati garage in Mishur Edumim settlement, was dismissed by management, who called on thugs and the police as well in order to break the following strike called by WAC-MAAN.
The Jerusalem Labor Court heard yesterday (July 27) WAC-Maan’s case against the Zarfati garage in the occupied West Bank. The garage recently fired the Workers’ Committee chairperson, Hatam Abu Ziyada.
The workers began the strike two days ago in light of the Zarfati management’s ongoing refusal to negotiate, which peaked with the firing of the head of their Workers’ Committee Hatem Abu Ziadeh.
This morning (July 23) at 11:00, factory owners from Mishor Adumim approached striking workers on the picket line at Zarfaty Garage, demanding they leave immediately or be subject to violence.
WAC-MAAN has written an urgent letter to SodaStream CEO, Mr. Daniel Birnbaum, demanding immediate return of the employees to their posts!
Bialik Square, at the heart of Tel Aviv, has never witnessed such an event: a mass meeting, assembled by the workers of Bialik Center, organized by the independent Trade Union Center WAC-MAAN, celebrating May Day.
The manager of Soda Stream presents himself and his operation in the occupied West Bank as an “island of peace.” In reality, the situation of Palestinian workers in the settlements is far from this ideal.
