Ben Gurion Airport Workers Demand End to 12-Hour Shifts in Labor Court

Pinehas Idan, chairman of the Airport Authority workers' union, is taking legal action against the imposition of 12-hour continuous shifts, six days a week, on baggage handlers at Ben Gurion Airport. The case was brought to the Labor Court on Saturday night following a recent escalation in the labor dispute, including a work stoppage by baggage handlers after only nine hours on duty earlier this week. This strike was ordered by Idan due to workers' complaints about extreme physical strain and exhaustion. Idan accused the Airport Authority management of violating regulations and imposing unreasonable workloads that endanger workers' health, stating, "The workers are simply collapsing." The legal petition aims to prevent further harm to ground staff.

Idan has been in ongoing conflict with the airport management over working conditions, especially after a chaotic strike during the peak August travel period that left thousands of passengers stranded for hours. Following the strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu removed Idan from the Likud party. The Labor Court's decision could directly impact baggage handling operations and flight schedules at Ben Gurion. If restrictions on work hours are imposed, the airport authority may need to hire more staff or adjust work arrangements. However, the authority maintains there is no manpower shortage and that workforce management is routine. It also emphasized ongoing recruitment efforts and cooperation with the workers' union.

Ben Gurion Airport currently handles between 90,000 and 100,000 passengers daily, creating significant operational pressure on ground teams and intensifying tensions over employment conditions.