El Al pilots threaten new work slowdown

Pilots at El Al Airlines are once again threatening a work slowdown, just a month after having ended one after having reached an agreement with airline management on a pay hike of nearly 9%. This time the issue is a management decision to send senior pilots and flight instructors over age 65 on a forced leave. The El Al Israel Airlines Pilots Committee said Sunday: “While discussions are taking place to arrange terms of employment, El Al’s management has decided to put one third of pilot and simulator instructors on forced leave." The move comes while the union is involved in talks with management on labour conditions. El Al management maintains it is taking action because the Israeli government has adopted international regulations that prevent pilots from flying commercial flights after age 65. <br/>