Wizz Air Base Dispute: Histadrut Declares Labor Strike at Ben Gurion Airport

The Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) announced a large-scale sectoral labor dispute this morning following the intention to establish a Wizz Air low-cost carrier base in Israel. The dispute, which applies to over 11,000 employees, is expected to directly impact airlines El Al, Arkia, Israir, and Air Haifa, as well as Israel Airports Authority (IAA) employees operating Ben Gurion, Ramon, and Haifa airports.

The decision to declare the dispute was made in light of grave concerns from employee representatives regarding damage to industry stability and the job security of thousands of Israelis. Employee representatives are raising unequivocal demands for collective bargaining negotiations on the implications of opening a foreign base in Israel, including examining the impact on working conditions and wages in local companies, the financial resilience of the Israel Airports Authority and Israeli airlines, and the scope of ground operation work.

During professional discussions held at the Histadrut, claims were raised that the move to introduce a foreign operator at Ben Gurion Airport was carried out without thorough staff work and while ignoring reservations from senior aviation industry and Israeli Ministry of Transport officials. Industry sources warn that the move creates unfair competition that harms the state's national and security interests, especially given that foreign companies are not subject to the same security and regulatory standards as Israeli carriers.

Employee representatives clarified that they support genuine competition and reducing the cost of living, but not at the price of harming companies that have proven their essentiality and maintained open skies during times of crisis. Consequently, the Histadrut is examining a series of organizational measures to be taken in the near future, emphasizing that any action will be carried out with national responsibility and the intention to minimize the impact on the general traveling public as much as possible.

The declaration of the dispute means that in approximately two weeks, employees will be able to take legal organizational measures, including work disruptions and strikes at Ben Gurion Airport and local airlines. The current struggle marks the peak of the confrontation between the aviation industry workers' union and the government regarding the future of aviation policy in Israel.