Channel 10 logo
Channel 10 halts directorate's decision to fire 150 employees
Channel's board decides to dismiss 150 employees, instructs CEO to submit new financial plan; agrees to freeze demand for several weeks. Workers' union: Unreasonable decision causing irreversible damage
Israel's Channel 10
directorate has decided to immediately lay off 150 employees as a result of the financial struggle
the channel has been going through over the past few years.
The workers' union has already announced its objection to the decision, saying "It is an unreasonable decision causing irreversible damage."
Bad Investment?
Shelly Pritzker, Calcalist
Struggling channel comes out against decision to invest millions in foreign TV, film production in Israel; as it faces NIS 60 million debt
The decision was suspended – "very temporarily," as a source described it – following an appeal by the Histadrut Labor Federation.
Meanwhile, employees have continued to work as usual.
In response to the directorate's decision, the channel's CEO, Yoav Heldman has said: "This is a painful decision that will affect hundreds of families. I urge the prime minister to intervene and instruct the finance minister and the communications minister to find an immediate solution."
"Only a government-backed installment payment plan will enable the channel to receive a new license in January 2013," he added.
The board further ordered Heldman, to submit a financial plan which includes immediate cuts and budget adjustments to make up for the round of layoffs.
Channel 10's workers' union chairman Matan Hodorov further said that "We won't even negotiate the dismissal of 150 of our friends, let alone other budget cuts."
Earlier on Tuesday, the channel’s employees met with Histadrut Chairman Ofer Eini, who assured them that the Histadrut would not let the goverment shut down Channel 10, and called on the employees to ignore any dismissal letters they receive from management.
Eini further said that "they want to close channel 10 for NIS 40 million – it's outrageous."
In November 2008, when Channel 10 found itself in severe financial straits, the governement gave its owners until March 1, 2009 to refinance its debt. However, in January 2009 the Knesset's Finance Committee overturned this decision. Channel 10 now owes the State millions of shekels in debt.
