The executive body of the Histadrut moved swiftly today to curb strikes called yesterday to protest government-sponsored reductions in the cost-of-living allowances paid to all workers here as supplement to their basic pay.
A cut averaging $6.00 monthly went into effect yesterday in accordance with the agreement between the Histadrut and the government pegging the cost-of-living allowance to the official index. The agreement was bitterly opposed by the Mapam which threatened nation-wide strikes if the cut went into effect.
Yesterday between 2,000 and 4,000 workers went out on a protest strike in Tel Aviv and Jaffa, but plants in those cities and nearby Ramat Gan, employing 50,000 workers, were unaffected. It was pointed out that the strike was in force only in plants where the Mapam and the Communists hold a majority in the plant workers’ committees. The strikers included dock workers in the Tel Aviv and Jaffa ports, as well as some Arab workers.
The Histadrut executive issued a warning today that the strikes were directed against the Histadrut and charged that “certain quarters” were attempting to achieve political aims not connected with the fundamental interests of the workers. It decided to send a warning to all trade union officials to avoid activities conflicting with decisions of the federation. Those falling to heed this warning will be subject to trial in union courts. The executive also appealed to all workers to oppose at tempts to undermine the Histadrut’s discipline and authority.
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