The management of Rotem Amfert has imposed a lock out on the plant in the Negev following a decision by workers yesterday to intensify sanctions. Management is demanding that the union agree to negotiate efficiency measures at the Israel Chemicals Ltd. subsidiary which is facing sharply declining profitability. Yesterday the workers shut down the plant and prevented shipments as well as management from leaving the premises.
In response to the management move, the Histadrut Labor Federation has ordered all Israel Chemicals workers to stop work on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. and show up to support Rotem Amfert workers at the plant. Following a meeting today the Histadrut placed two conditions for a resumption of negotiations between the union and management: an end to the lock out and a cancelling of the dismissal notices that have already been given to six of the 127 workers ICL has said it plans to fire as part of its recovery plan for the subsidiary.
Yesterday a company spokesman said Rotem Amfert is facing its worst crisis in years due to a sharp drop in phosphate and fertilizer prices that have made the company among the least competitive in the industry. The spokesman added that the layoffs are a painful but necessary measure to enable the company to compete on the international market.