Negotiations to end the strike at Israel Chemicals Ltd. appear to have made major headway in the past 24 hours. Union officials at Dead Sea Works have said that ICL has agreed to drop its key demand to lay off workers at least at this stage and will agree to focus on those interested in early retirement. There are indications from both the union and management that the strike could end this week.
The strike at the two ICL subsidiaries-Dead Sea Works and Dead Sea Bromine Compounds—has lasted for over three months. It is one of the longest ever in Israel. Negotiations resumed this afternoon between the Histadrut Labor Federation, the ICL unions and the company’s management. Last week ICL reported that the strike had led to a $200 million drop in revenues in the first quarter of 2015 and a $76 million drop in profits.
Yesterday the southern Israeli towns of Dimona, Yerucham and Arad held a strike in solidarity with ICL workers. A large percentage of the population of the three towns work for ICL.