Following a wave of violence: bus drivers announce a labor dispute
The "Koach LaOvdim" union has declared a labor dispute following a series of attacks on drivers, including stone-throwing and road blockades. The union states that entering Bat Ayin has become like entering a war zone. If no solution is found, service will be suspended in two weeks.
The Transport Committee Union of the "Koach LaOvdim" organization officially notified the management of "Electra Afikim" today, Monday, of a labor dispute—a step that allows drivers to shut down service to the town of Bat Ayin in two weeks.
The decision was made against the backdrop of a severe escalation in violence against drivers in the town, including stone-throwing and the blocking of roads by local youths.
"The writing is on the wall": security does not stop the attackers
According to the union, four cases of violence were recorded in Bat Ayin in just ten days, with drivers suffering facial injuries in two of them. The situation deteriorated despite an agreement reached last week, which mandated security guards on buses from the afternoon onwards and the cessation of service within the town after 20:00.
"Even an escort by a security officer does not stop the attackers who continue as they were," the union stated, emphasizing that the motive for the attacks is racist, due to the Arab origin of the drivers.
Itay Cohen, head of the transport division at "Koach LaOvdim," warned that "the blood of public transport workers and its users will not be cheap" and that entering Bat Ayin has become "entering a war zone."
A series of severe incidents
Today's declaration of a labor dispute is the culmination of a rising wave of violence plaguing bus drivers. Just at the beginning of the month, the driver of line 362 in Bat Ayin was attacked with stones.
"Suddenly a huge noise, you think it's a terror attack. It wouldn't have taken much for the glass to enter my eyes and I would have lost control," the driver described.
Earlier this week in Jerusalem, a driver for "Superbus" was attacked so severely that he lost consciousness and had four teeth knocked out. Union reports point to a spike in violence in other centers as well, such as Afula (stone-throwing), Haifa (stabbings and tear gas), and Ashkelon (vandalism and intimidation).
The union warns that the current reality makes it difficult to recruit new drivers who fear for their lives, and clarifies that if a root solution for driver safety is not found, the lines will be completely shut down.
