The Histadrut, likes unions around the world, has focussed a great deal of attention on precarious employment — the replacement of good, permanent, union jobs with outsourced, temporary and non-union labour.  And it has won some victories in recent months.

Last week, it announced that following an agreement with Israel Railways, all the ticket-sellers would from now on be permanent workers, no longer contracted out.

The head of the Histadrut’s Trade Union Department was quoted as saying that this was an important achievement which will advance equality in the workplace, and that the workers’ increased feelings of belonging would also improve customer service.

The head of the Histadrut’s transport workers section called this a substantial win for organized labour in Israel in general, and for railway workers in particular.  The ticket-sellers were a relatively low-paid group of workers who will now benefit from improved pay and conditions.