International Bank Workers Launch Strikes After Dispute Over Collective Agreement Talks

A labor dispute erupted at the International Bank in Tel Aviv on Tuesday as about 500 employees of Mat'af, the bank's IT services subsidiary, began strikes and disruptions following a breakdown in negotiations over their collective agreement. The workers, represented by the Maof Labor Federation, sought to attend a board of directors meeting at the bank's Rothschild Street offices to address a sudden shift in the talks. According to the workers' committee, the board intervened demanding cuts to existing employee rights, including reducing remote work days, and blocked their entry to the meeting, allegedly calling police to remove them. Committee chairman Dudu Dahan said security refused them access and summoned a police vehicle, prompting the workers to leave on legal advice and commence work disruptions that would halt IT services at the bank.

The International Bank denied the police involvement claims and stated the board is not involved in negotiations, which are handled by Mat'af management. They confirmed the workers were denied entry to the board meeting and left voluntarily. The bank assured customers that regular services would continue despite the labor conflict. The dispute highlights tensions over employee rights and remote work policies amid ongoing collective bargaining at the bank's IT subsidiary.

The situation remains unresolved as the workers begin escalating actions, with no immediate date set for resuming talks or ending the disruptions.