Israel Ports Company Signs Special Collective Agreement Benefiting Employees

The Histadrut labor federation, Israel Ports Company, and the Ministry of Finance signed a special collective agreement yesterday. The agreement, which adopts the framework agreement for the public sector, will apply to about 120 employees of the Israel Ports Company. This company is responsible for the strategic development of sea ports, supervision, and management of port areas in Israel. It is the parent company of the maritime transport companies in Haifa and Ashdod, which manage maritime transport in the port areas in Israel.

Under the agreement, employees will benefit from a monthly salary increase of hundreds of shekels, shorter periods required for promotion, the addition of new positions under the collective agreement, the absorption of external workers as company employees, and a shorter work week.

Eyal Yadin, Chairman of the Union of Transport and Sea Ports Workers, said: "The agreement brings good news to the company's employees who do sacred work both at the company's headquarters and in the operation of the port areas for the growth of the port sector and of the company. We are proud of the loyal company employees who, through their important work, contribute to the development and resilience of the Israeli economy."

Tiko Gadot, CEO of Israel Ports Company, said: "This is a significant day for all of us, which we have reached after a long journey. The signing of the framework agreement is an important achievement that includes cooperation, understanding, and commitment of all those involved in the work for job security on the one hand and maintaining the stability and success of the company on the other. The negotiation process was not simple, but we managed to reach an agreement that balances the needs of the organization for the benefit of the employees and constitutes a solid basis for growth for the employees and the company. I congratulate all those involved in the action and hope for our success."

Nir Eisenberg, Manager of the Maritime Division at the Transport Workers Union, said: "The quality human capital at Israel Ports Company constitutes the basis for its existence. In the agreement signed today, we succeeded together - the Histadrut, the workers' committee, and the company's management - to give tools and values to the company that will lead to its growth and continued prosperity."

Ohad Elkabetz, Senior Deputy to the Wage Commissioner, said: "I congratulate the company's management and the workers' committee on the occasion of signing a collective agreement for the implementation of the 2023 framework agreement, with the necessary adjustments for the company. We expect that the wage increases that will be given to employees under the agreement, alongside the management tools anchored in it, will help the company achieve its goals, and thus support the development and efficiency of the port economy."

Yaakov Mizrahi, Chairman of the Israel Ports Workers Committee, said: "At a good and successful time, and after sincere efforts by the chairman of the union, the manager of the maritime division, and the company's management, we are pleased to announce to the workers the joining of the framework agreement. The agreement brings a significant improvement in the workers' wages and a shortening of the work week. This is a real good news for the workers on whom the agreement applies. The agreement proves the Histadrut's desire and power to protect the workers and improve their working conditions and wages even in not simple days of upheavals in the company and the economy. We also thank the company's management and the company's CEO for their cooperation."