Bank CEO Confronted by Protesting Employees Over Salary Deductions

An annual holiday toast for employees of the International Bank's computing company took a dramatic turn when CEO Eli Cohen was met with a stormy protest. Employees held signs and chanted demands for their money back, protesting deductions of thousands of shekels from their salaries. They claim these deductions were made for work hours and days they actually performed, unrelated to broader disputes over the company's merger.

The protest surprised the bank's management, especially since a formal understanding agreement was signed just last week between management, the workers' committee, and the Histadrut HaOvdim HaMeyuchedet (National Union of Clerical and Professional Employees). This agreement was intended to officially end a labor dispute declared in June, cancel legal proceedings, and return employees to full work routines.

As part of those understandings, a timeframe until the end of October was set for focused negotiations regarding the implications of merging Mat'af into the bank. Following the protest, the bank's management reiterated that the Mat'af merger is a necessary strategic move to enhance the group's technological capabilities.

The management stated that the merger process will be handled professionally and objectively, and warned that any attempt to sabotage employees' future would hold those responsible accountable. They also extended new year wishes to all bank employees and their representatives.