Avi Levy, Chairman of the Israel Sea Officers’ Union (ISOU), was a pillar of Israel’s shipping industry who fought to protect seafarers’ wellbeing and rights throughout his career – and it is with great sadness that the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) mourns his passing last week.
After training in naval school and spending his seafaring days as a chief engineer, Avi was widely known for his expertise in workers’ rights and his commitment to his members in the ISOU, whether at sea or on shore.
His biggest goal was always to secure the future of the Israeli merchant fleet and its workers.
Avi’s knowledge and passion came to the fore during the period of enormous change in Israeli shipping in the 1990s, when the formerly state-owned shipping company, ZIM, became a private company in 1999 and then going public in 2021.
Throughout this turbulent period for Israeli shipping, ISOU members remember his deep-seated commitment to protecting the jobs and conditions of seafarers – he fought to secure good retirement agreements for those who left seafaring and to improve the agreements of those still working at sea and on shore, alongside protecting education, training and recruitment platforms.
Avi was in charge of the naval division in Israel’s ports, and also pilots, tug boat crews, Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) workers, Port State Control (PSC) inspectors, and technical inspectors and operation managers for the companies ZIM and XT – ensuring that all these positions were available only for merchant fleet personnel while also working hard to secure them decent Collective Bargaining Agreements.
His commitment to the ISOU was matched by his work to advance the ITF, for which he dedicated himself to building a strong office in Israel, all while continuing to help secure improved wages and living conditions for thousands of seafarers across Israel’s ports.
Avi’s friends and trade union family also remember him for sensitivity and kindness. Even in his last weeks and months, those visiting him in hospital would always be asked about the wellbeing of their friends and family.
ITF General Secretary, Stephen Cotton, said: “Avi was a true internationalist. He believed in collaboration, equality and justice, and he was always super friendly – and he was a true friend of mine.
“He was a very forceful character who worked hard not only in the Mediterranean region but also across the world to defend seafarers and maritime workers.”
May his memory be blessed.
