Pazgaz employees take industrial action: "There will be no gas during the holidays"
Pazgaz employees have initiated industrial action, threatening to halt gas supplies during the holidays. The workers are protesting against restructuring plans and demanding improved employment conditions.
Employees of Pazgaz, a company owned by Paz, have begun taking industrial action, including holding information meetings. The company employs 500 workers and serves approximately 200,000 households.
The employees, who are threatening to stop gas supplies to customers during the holidays, are raising concerns regarding the transfer of branches and the undermining of their job security. Most Pazgaz employees are veterans who claim that management is ignoring their contribution, including their efforts during the war.
Committee chair Racheli Saadia Gol stated that management, led by Paz CEO Nir Stern, has derailed negotiations, which will lead to disruptions in the company's operations:
"We do not intend to sit and be silent when they try to harm our dedicated employees. We demand to cancel any plan intended to save money at the expense of the employees, and to improve the conditions of the dedicated staff who have been employed at Pazgaz for decades and earn a miserable salary of 7,000 shekels."
Paz responded by noting that the labor dispute was declared on February 19 and that there have been no changes since then to justify these claims. Management emphasized that there are no plans to close branches or reduce the workforce, and that the current collective agreement is the most beneficial in the LPG industry. The company stated:
"We will clarify unequivocally that there is no fear of any disruption in gas supply during the holiday period. The attempt to threaten to harm the holiday meals of Israel's citizens is irresponsible and unnecessary."
