The Histadrut national labor federation is warning a ‘work dispute’ is on the horizon. Officials at Jerusalem’s Bikur Cholim Hospital admit that since Arkadi Gaydamak ceased infusing funds into the hospital, employee rights’ have been compromised.

The hospital administration is preparing to implement its fiscal rehabilitation plan which will result in 70 firings and a salary reduction of 20% for most employees. The labor union explains the hospital has already taken unilateral steps in February, cutting wages 15% for the month and stopping to make pension payments, signaling it will tolerate additional compromise of employee rights.

The hospital which employees 650 workers was in receivership until Gaydamak came along. Following the loss of his mayoral bid in Jerusalem and legal worries in Europe, Gaydamak has fled for Russia and announced he is forfeiting his citizenship. He has also stopped infusing capital into the hospital, leaving the bleak situation and threatened closure.

YWN reported earlier in the month that Rav Chaim Miller is working to prevent the closure of the hospital, which plays a vital role in the capital’s chareidi community.

Attorney Shai Teken of the Histradurt’s professional union calls the rehab plan “amateurish” and “lacking vision”. He adds the plan lacks provisions for future employment of workers of even the future of the hospital.

Workers will convene on Tuesday together with senior district officials of the labor union to discuss the hospital’s situation, plan and the workers’ plight.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)