Former head of powerful labor union now representing bank

The former head of Israel’s most powerful labor federation has taken a job as an advisor to Israel Discount Bank, only four months after stepping down as the country’s top labor leader.

Ofer Eini will officially represent the company’s executives in future negotiations with the banks’s labor union over employee working conditions, the Israeli Calcalist business website reported Thursday.

“Eini brings with him many years of experience, working as a leader and as a public figure,” a statement issued by the bank read, according to Calcalist.

“The bank is convinced he will greatly contribute to the advancement of labor relations in Discount.”

Eini served as head of the Histadrut, the country’s largest labor union, for eight years before retiring. In June, immediately after leaving the Histadrut, Eini was appointed chairman of the Israeli Football Association.

The man he replaced at the soccer association, Avi Luzon, worked for Discount Bank for 35 years before leaving his management position in 2012.

While there is currently no official labor dispute between the Israel Discount Bank management and its employees, tensions have risen between the two parties after the bank announced plans to undertake several recovery measures, which include the voluntary early retirement of 250 workers, as well as a reduction of branches across the country.

Eini had represented the Israel Discount Bank labor union during his tenure as head of the Histadrut, but nevertheless stated he saw no problem in advising to the bank’s executives.

“Discount’s management approached me two months ago, in good faith and with a will to collaborate in order to improve labor relations at the bank,” Eini said during an interview with the Israeli business site the Marker.

“I agreed only after I received the blessing of the workers.”

The Histadrut labor union, founded in 1920, grew to be one of the most powerful institutions in both Mandate-era Palestine and Israel. Although the influence of organized labor has waned in recent years, the Histadrut’s large membership ensures its ability to call paralyzing strikes when it deems necessary.

Times of Israel Staff contributed to this report.