Jerusalem, Heshvan 27th, 5769
November 25th, 2008
To:
Prof. Daniel Zajfman
President of The Weizmann Institute of Science
P.O box 26
Rehovot 76100
Greetings,
In the matter of violence and unacceptable disregard towards workers union.
The workers of the Garden of Science Museum at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot declared a labor dispute, about two weeks ago, as a result of what they see as a blow on their payment and terms of engagement. I know that the institute examined the subject, and that there were attempts to refer to the workers' demands and to improve their terms of engagement.
Nevertheless, those actions are no substitute for formal negotiation between the institute's management and the workers' union that, to my understanding, has yet to take place in spite of the workers' demands.
I was informed that, last week, a few workers were attacked by hired security guards, while protesting. As a result of this attack, two workers were wounded, and one of them (Yonatan Weinreib) was even evacuated to a hospital and had to undergo a surgery. I was surprised to hear that the institute's management did not find it appropriate to apologize to him, or even check his condition.
The Weizmann Institute is one of the leading institutes in its field and one of the most magnificent institutes in Israel. It is sad to know that it fails in such a basic subject as acknowledging his workers' right to form a union and negotiating with them on a base of mutual respect. Instead, the institute chose to react in an unacceptable way of disregard, abuse and even violence towards the workers.
I ask you and the board of the Davidson Institute to acknowledge the organized workers, and to refer to their arguments with due deliberation. In addition to that - I demand you not to harm the workers' terms of engagement or wage. I am certain that, with the right and fair treatment, it would be possible to find a way to solve this issue.
Kind regards,
Mk Ophir Pines-Paz
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