A general lockout in the metal industry, causing a daily loss of more than $100,000, is keeping 260 plants throughout Israel closed since Friday when negotiations between manufacturers and labor in a wage dispute broke down. The plants employ about 8,000 workers.
Previously, a lockout of 10 plants directly affected by the strike had left 1,500 men unemployed as the government sought to mediate. The manufacturers had warned that they would close the plants at midnight Friday unless the labor unions agreed to government proposals to avert stoppage of production. A government fact finding commission is now at work.
A spokesman for the plant-owners said today that Minister of Trade and Industry Jack Geri would not approve wage increases before having the findings of this commission. A Histadrut spokesman denounced the manufacturers for rejecting “most liberal proposals.”
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