Tel Aviv — Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL) unions representing workers at its various subsidiaries have again threatened to impose sanctions. Earlier this year workers ceased operations at Rotem Amfert, as well as other facilities, and briefly shut down the company’s Ashdod port facility. The difficulties in negotiations between unions and management over a recovery plan for the company re-emerged in recent days after management sent out dismissal notices to several workers. The unions charge that management wants to implement large-scale layoffs at a number of subsidiaries and not just at Rotem Amfert. The unions said they are opposed to layoffs and will support only agreed-upon early retirement with increased benefits. The unions argue that profits in 2013 declined, but are still substantial. ICL management said that a recovery plan is necessary in order to deal with the huge increase in costs the company is facing as a result of Israeli government action involving increased royalty payments and the salt harvesting project at the Dead Sea.
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