A strike by some 1500 seamen prevented 11 Israeli ships from loading or unloading today. The strike which began Friday originally hit only ships sailing from Israel but now has spread to include incoming ships
Transport Minister Shimon Peres, who was empowered to issue “back to work” orders, said he would use the power only if the strike affected the import of essential commodities or if shipping in the Gulf of Eilat was blocked. “We fought twice already to ensure the free passage of our ships in the Red Sea and ships will be going there,” he said. Peres said that the 86 percent wage increase sought by the seamen would open a crack in the government’s wage policy that would undermine all labor agreements.
The shipping companies, which are considering counter measures against the Seamen’s Union, said they have offered increases in line with that given to merchant marine officers. But union spokesmen said the seamen’s increases should be higher since their salaries are lower.
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