Jerusalem Cinematheque crisis deepens
Employees disrupt activity in protest of employment terms; management turns to court
The Jerusalem Cinematheque's management petitioned the capital's Labor Court, requesting an urgent injunction that would prevent employees from disrupting the cinema's activities and preparations for the Jerusalem International Film Festival.
The petition followed escalating tensions between management and employees in the wake of layoffs and massive wage cuts.
The employees, who threaten to paralyze the Cinematheque's activity, claim that management refuses to discuss the possibility of entrenching their rights via a collective agreement.
Ilan de Vries, who heads the Cinematheque and the film festival, told Ynet: "We had no choice but to turn to the regional court, after all attempts to reach understandings with employee representatives were rejected. We accepted the employees' demand to freeze a significant part of the wage cuts during the negotiations, and we even offered protection against layoffs for some time."
"One must understand that the economic crisis affected the Cinematheque as well," he said. "We had to implement a comprehensive plan of cuts, which among other things included cutting the festival's budget by about 25%. The cuts in employee wages are minimal and temporary."
Meanwhile, Cinematheque employees have expressed great sadness at management's decision to petition the court.
"We regret the fact that they approached the court. We think it's a terrible mistake," the employees said. "Holding a cultural event such as an international film festival based on a court injunction is certainly a sad moment."
"The demands of employees are minimal, but they're not even listening to us," they said.
The next hearing on the matter has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 10th.
