The labor dispute at Pazgas is intensifying. Starting today, company employees will expand sanctions, close branches to the public, and refrain from collecting payments from business clients. The workers' committee is threatening to escalate steps in the coming weeks, to the point of causing a significant disruption to the gas supply ahead of the Tishrei holidays.
Pazgas employees declared a labor dispute about six months ago, demanding improvements to their wages and employment conditions. According to the committee, attempts were made over recent months to bridge the gaps with company management, but negotiations blew up about a month ago, and no dialogue has taken place between the parties since.
"Pazgas makes millions, but insists on employing its workers for wretched salaries. In every situation, we provide the best service, including during wars, amidst missile falls, but we can't make ends meet on salaries of 7,000 shekels. Pazgas workers deserve more. They deserve to have their work valued, they deserve to be treated like human beings, and they deserve to earn a proper salary that reflects their level of commitment and sacrifice for the company, especially when the company is profitable," said Pazgas Workers' Committee chairwoman Racheli Saadia-Gol.
"Unfortunately, the CEO chooses to continue with his steamroller conduct, and after blowing up the negotiations, he hasn't held any dialogue with the committee for weeks. This cannot continue."
Pazgas: "Supply will continue as usual"
The next phase of sanctions will begin next week. "TNext week the branches in Ramla, Jerusalem, Dimona, and Tiberias will be shut down, with no collections whatsoever taking place in the business department. As long as the CEO doesn't come to his senses, the sanctions will continue to escalate, there will be disruptions at all company facilities and services, and the gas supply will be hit significantly, to the point that there won't be gas on the holidays."
Pazgas stated: "Gas supply during the holidays will continue as usual, with no concern of harm to the public. We are sorry that instead of holding substantive dialogue, elements in the committee choose to manufacture headlines based on baseless claims."