Ben Gurion Airport Workers' Union Head Denies Strike, Blames Management for Chaos

Pinehas Idan, chairman of the Ben Gurion Airport workers' union, has strongly denied claims that a strike caused the recent chaos at Israel's main international airport. The disruptions on Sunday afternoon led to flight delays, passenger inconvenience, and an estimated economic loss of around 30 million shekels. Idan attributes the turmoil to unilateral decisions by the airport authority's management rather than any labor action.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli, Idan emphasized that no strike, slowdowns, or work stoppages took place. He clarified that no wage or financial demands were made by the workers. Instead, the root cause is a severe and ongoing manpower shortage, particularly affecting baggage handlers who have been forced to work exhausting shifts of up to 13 hours during the busy summer season.

Idan warned that without immediate intervention to increase staffing levels, the situation could worsen during the upcoming Jewish High Holidays, when passenger volumes are expected to rise significantly. He called on government officials to halt the airport authority's unilateral measures and develop an emergency plan to address the workforce crisis.

Meanwhile, calls to remove Idan from his position as union chairman remain under discussion. The Transportation Ministry has yet to officially receive Idan's letter, which was initially shared with the media. The airport authority reported that it has managed to reduce the backlog of delayed flights and luggage handling, and that operations have returned to normal. However, tensions between the workers and management persist, raising concerns about potential disruptions during the holiday season.