Israel’s National Labor Federation and the Association of Public Transport Companies have reached an agreement with the Finance Ministry and the Transport Ministry on a compensation package for public transit drivers who were left out of the furlough plan during the war known as “Operation Lion’s Roar.” The funding has now been approved, according to the report, after months of negotiations.
Although public transit drivers are officially considered essential workers in emergencies, many were not included in the Finance Ministry’s furlough arrangements during the war. As a result, thousands continued showing up for work and carrying passengers, even under missile threats, but their shifts were not treated as full-time work and they did not receive full pay, despite working shorter shifts and remaining on call.
The National Labor Federation’s public transit drivers’ organization identified the problem and appealed to the Finance and Transport Ministries to protect the drivers’ rights. The main obstacle was that the state accepted the need to compensate drivers, but decided to reimburse most operating companies only partially, at 66 percent, which prolonged the dispute.
The sides held talks for several months, including discussions in the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee, and the conflict was resolved yesterday. Deputy Director General of the National Labor Federation Shashi Shad said, “I congratulate the Transport Ministry and Minister of Transport Miri Regev, and the Finance Ministry, who saw eye to eye on the need to compensate public transit drivers.” He added that the drivers “drive, literally, the economy” and maintain continuity in both emergencies and routine. Union chairman Israel Ganon said, “We will continue to look after the drivers. The time has come for the State of Israel to provide a safety net for the public transport sector in general and for drivers in particular.”
