Israeli carriers face labour dispute over perceived job threat to workforce

El Al has prolonged, at least until the end of September, the furlough programme for personnel, as the country’s trade union centre formally declares a dispute with the aviation industry over concerns of mass lay-offs. El Al says it has 1,165 employees affected, adding that workers will be brought back “in line” with the activity of its flight schedule. But the trade union centre Histadrut states that it is in conflict with El Al, as well as the other main carriers Arkia and Israir, over the “severe employment crisis” facing the industry since the onset of the pandemic. The organisation is looking to the Israeli government for assistance. It believes the companies are planning further mass redundancies, and extend the furlough period of others, as well as changing terms of employment.<br/>