Ben Gurion Airport workers declare weekend strike

Hundreds of flights are expected to be re-scheduled as Ben-Gurion employees declare strike for this coming weekend.

By: World Israel News Staff

Employees of the Israel Airport Authority have declared a general strike that could shut down Ben Gurion International Airport on Friday night and Saturday.

The workers say their action was prompted by the announcement of new tax regulations being introduced by Interior Minister Aryeh Deri.  The IAA opposes the plan that requires it pay additional taxes that would be distributed to residents living in the vicinity of the airport.

According to the airport workers’ union, Israel’s main airport will operate on a “Yom Kippur basis,” which means that hundreds of flights normally departing on Saturday will have to be rescheduled.

Last month there were delays in departures and at baggage claim when the union protested the firing of seasonal workers at the end of the summer season.