Public transport passengers take note: Strike approved for tomorrow
The Labor Court rejected the management's petition and approved a strike tomorrow on Superbus lines in Jerusalem, following a brutal attack on a driver in which his four teeth were broken by teenagers.
Following a severe incident of violence that occurred last Saturday evening, the transport committee union of the "Koach LaOvdim" ("Power to the Workers") organization will strike tomorrow, Wednesday, August 5, on Superbus lines in the Jerusalem cluster between 14:00 and 15:00. The strike will take place after the Jerusalem Regional Labor Court rejected the company management's petition for an injunction and recognized the workers' right to protest against the threat to their safety.
The decision came after a violent incident in which driver Muatasem Kaak was attacked by a group of teenagers. The attackers broke four of the driver's teeth and caused him severe facial injuries; so far, no suspects have been arrested for the act. The company's drivers are protesting the lack of protection in the field and claim that the only response provided by the Ministry of Transport is limited to just three security guards on motorcycles.
Itay Cohen, head of the transport division at "Koach LaOvdim," welcomed the court's decision:
"It is unacceptable that the company avoids contact with the workers' committee after such a serious incident and refuses to allow them to stop operations for a set time. It is unacceptable that three motorcycle-mounted security guards should be the Ministry of Transport's response to the problem of severe violence in the city."
Superbus responded:
"The company regrets the court's decision and the expected disruption to the daily routine of the traveling public in Jerusalem. The safety and well-being of all drivers are our top priority, and we condemn any act of violence, but we believe that disrupting service is not the solution. We call on the Israel Police to do everything possible to locate the attackers in order to prevent the recurrence of such cases in the future."
In light of the strike that already took place by the minibus lines to the Old City last Sunday, they are excluded from the strike and will operate as usual.
