El Al faces strike over policies restricting Sun D’Or Sabbath flights

El Al is facing industrial action after being accused of acting in bad faith, notably over policies restricting operation of flights during the Sabbath, a weekly period of religious observance. Trade union centre Histadrut has notified the company of a labour dispute and approved strike from 18 October. El Al says the dispute concerns job security in the wake of decisions to reduce cargo flights and services of leisure airline Sun D’Or on the Sabbath. It adds that it stands accused by Histadrut of “conduct in bad faith”. Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David has written to El Al’s management, stating that he has “personally led unprecedented actions in order to save El Al” and strengthen the airline in the face of the air transport crisis – including transferring over 10 million shekels ($3.1m) to support the carrier. Bar-David says there are “real doubts” over the company’s efforts to take a leading position in the recovering – and competitive – market.<br/>