The public bus service in Be’er Sheva, the capital of the poor south of Israel, was privatized in December 2003. The new private company, “Metrodan”, naturally began implementing its best methods to squeeze profits out of this new goldmine. Forsaken by the Histadrut [Trade Union Federation] officials, all the 300 workers of the old public company were sacked, only some of them were reinstated in the new company that reduced the number of drivers to about 140. The collective contract was abolished, and all workers of the new company were employed under slavish conditions. Officially paid 19.50 NIS (less than 3.5 Euro) per hour, the workers had to endure draconian fines sliced out from their salaries by the management who was spying on them - such as 350 NIS if a certain ticket was missing, or 200 NIS if a driver’s shirt was untidy. That fact was forcing some of them to work even for 12 hours a day just to make ends meet.

In an interview made by members of Maavak Sotzyalisti (the CWI in Israel), the elected chief-steward, Shaul Tzfani, had described the beginning of the strike: “On November 10th, after 10 months of slave labor with miserable salaries and fines, we decided to establish an official workers committee. By 22:00, we went to the offices of the Histadrut, 60 drivers, held elections and registered to the Histadrut. We have tried to reach negotiations with the management and win the official recognition of the committee, but we were denied. We declared an official Labor Dispute, and after 14 days [the minimum period required by law], since there was no progress, we began the strike”.

Threatened by the workers’ move, the management has informed the workers that it’s willing to accept better conditions demands. Everything except for a collective contract as well as recognition of official representatives. They understand very well that organized workers will be an obstacle in their path for maximum exploitation. For that reason other private transport companies have expressed their full support of the management, knowing that the example of this struggle could encourage drivers in their own companies to take similar steps to defend their rights.

Metrodan, who sought to put the blame on the drivers received the opposite response. Various polls indicate an approximate level of 70% support in the streets of Be’er Sheva. People have expressed a lot of anger for the what the privatization has brought for both the service (with less buses available regularly) and the working conditions of the drivers. In some cases, people were getting on buses operated by scabs and yelling at them for betraying the struggle.

But, unfortunately, the in spite of that, the struggle was not won yet, due to its stagnation. The workers have full confidence in the Histadrut, but the latter, who this time supplies the workers with a basic support (such as struggle fund) is limiting the struggle to the judicial field. On the beginning the drivers have blocked the entrance to the parking spot in order to completely shut down the company’s activity. But a Labor Court decree achieved by the management, was accepted by the Histadrut who called upon the workers to wait for a victory in court, while holding silent picket lines. In a short time the number of scabs has risen to 30, and by now that figure has doubled. Just recently the government has allowed another private company to enter the city, in attempts to break the strike. The workers who look for serious and decisive strategy to victory, only get personal advises for making more “noise”, while the trade union will take care of things in court.

Now the Histadrut is about to launch a national campaign calling on other drivers in private companies to do the same as the workers of Metrodan, and organize themselves. That’s important, but a media-campaign can’t be enough. Such a campaign should be extended to achieve a quick and decisive victory. The scabs must be blocked, supporters need to be mobilized, and strike action needs to be called in public transport nationally – in spite of any decrees by Labor Court or the government. In this fight against a storm of privatizations in this period, a national forum of workers should be established, to conduct a wide struggle that will be able to block the attacks. Eventually, in order to secure the working conditions in the public transport and achieve a good service, all transport apparatus should be renationalized, and run under the democratic management of the workers.

Express your solidarity with the striking drivers in Be’er Sheva!

Email: feedback@maavak.org.il

Fax: +972-3-5474006 To Shaul Tzfani
Chief Shop Steward
Be'er Shevar Bus Drivers
Israel


20th February 2005


I have read a brief report here in the UK about your three month struggle for better wages and conditions, and crucially your right for union recognition and collective bargaining rights.

My name is Martin Mayer and I represent 90,000 bus and tram workers in the Transport & General Workers Union as their General Executive Council member for the public transport industry. I am also Branch Secretary for 800 bus drivers in Sheffield, where we ran a successful 3 -week strike against our employer FirstGroup plc last summer.

Like you we are fighting back against the effects of privatisation which has reduced wages, worsened conditions and undermined the bus service provided to the public. You and your members are not alone in your struggle! Neo-liberal policies are forcing the privatisation of public services like public transport all around the world. Workers need strong unions to defend themselves, and to link up with fellow workers around the world in that struggle.

My Union, the Transport & General Workers Union, like many other transport trade unions around the world, is affiliated to the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) which campaigns against the privatisation of public transport and helps build solidarity with our brothers and sisters in struggle wherever they are.

Please send me more details about your strike so I can pass it on to other trade unionists.

In the meantime, please pass on to your members a message of support from bus workers in the UK. Best of luck with your just struggle and may your victory be swift. Workers united will never be defeated.

Best wishes


Martin Mayer
General Executive Council Member
Transport & General Workers Union
United Kingdom


martin@tgw910.fsnet.co.uk
Please pass on my greetings to the Metrodan
busworkers. Their struggle for union recognition is
an inspiration to workers in the city of Cork, the
second city in the Republic of Ireland.


Yours fraternally,
Councillor Mick Barry
(Socialist Party)