MIDDLE EAST: Workers at Israel's three main airlines go on strike in protest over government plans to ratify an open skies deal with Europe they see as a threat to their jobs

Record ID: 341140

  • Title: MIDDLE EAST: Workers at Israel's three main airlines go on strike in protest over government plans to ratify an open skies deal with Europe they see as a threat to their jobs
  • Date: 21st April 2013
  • Summary: JERUSALEM (APRIL 21, 2013) (REUTERS) ISRAELI AIRLINE WORKERS PROTESTING OUTSIDE THE CABINET MEETING BESIDE A BONFIRE PROTESTERS SHOUTING, SEEN THROUGH THE BONFIRE SMOKE SCUFFLES BREAKING OUT WITH SECURITY GUARDS BONFIRE BURNING WITH PROTESTERS BEHIND FIREMAN PUTTING OUT THE BONFIRE/ PROTESTERS MAN BEING DETAINED BY SECURITY MEN SCUFFLING WITH SECURITY WHO LEAD THEM AWAY VA
  • Embargoed: 6th May 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jerusalem, Israel
  • City:
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADMOZZEU8W147K2MY6NOWNN0CC
  • Story Text: Employees of Israel's three main airlines staged a loud protest on Sunday (April 18) outside the government's weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.
    The workers began an open-ended strike in protest at the government's plans to ratify an open skies deal with Europe they see as a threat to their jobs.
    Chanting loudly the protesters gathered around a large bonfire set up on the road, scuffles broke out with the security personnel and several people were seen being detained.
    The fire service were also called in to extinguish the flames.
    Arriving for the government meeting, Israel's Transport Minister, Yisrael Katz said the protests wouldn't stop the deal being ratified because it was good for the country.
    "It's a day of celebration for the Israeli people, they will fly to more destinations, it will be cheaper, more tourists will come here, and this will supply more jobs" Katz said, "We will not give in to threats including the blocking of gates to stop ministers arriving for this meeting. We will ratify this agreement."
    At Israel's main international airport, Ben Gurion, near Tel Aviv, Asher Edri, the chairman of the El Al workers union said the deal could cause the collapse of Israel's airlines.
    "We support competition and we support open skies, but in this form it brings about the destruction of the Israeli airline companies." he said.
    Israir CEO, Uri Sirkis said that the airlines supported the union strike because the opens skies deal would mean that Israeli airlines were not competing on a level playing field with the other airlines.
    "The open skies deal entails dangers which are related to unfair competition, such as security expenses that we have but the other foreign airlines don't. Like the issue of slots in the Ben Gurion airport, business limitations that we are exposed to and foreign companies aren't. Therefore we are protesting." Sirkis said.
    Workers at El Al <ELAL.TA>, Arkia and Israir started their open-ended strike at 5 a.m. (0200 GMT) but the carriers brought forward most departures so that outgoing passengers could leave Israel. Flights coming into Israel and foreign airlines were not affected.
    It was very quiet in Ben Gurion's departures building on Sunday, with all Israeli carriers grounded the check-in desks were deserted, except for the few passengers who were crowded round the information desks trying to reschedule their travel plans.
    Jennifer Duprix had arrived at the airport for her flight to France, unaware of the strike.
    "I arrived and they told me to go to information, and at the information desk they told me that El Al was on strike, and so my flight was cancelled." Duprix said, "Luckily the young man has found me a solution for my problem and I'll be able to get back to Paris today."
    ENDS
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