After 17 days of strikes and millions of shekels damage to the health system, the Ministry of Finance and nurses reached agreement last night to end the strike. Under the terms of the agreement, the Ministry of Finance has agreed to grant the nurses a pay hike of NIS 1,300 per month spread over the next four and a half years, at a cost of an extra 13%.
This agreement is especially good for lower salary earners because it is a flat and equal rise for all nurses rather than a percentage increase. The rises achieved by the nurses in this latest agreement do not include the annual 1.5% salary hikes that all public sector employees will receive.
The breakthrough was achieved through the auspices of National Labor Court president Nili Arad.
Nurses Union chairwoman Ilana Cohen said, "I rejoice for Israel. The agreement signed in effect recognizes the hardships faced by the nursing profession and is another important means of solving Israel's nursing shortage. The extra salary will make nursing a national preferred profession that is attractive enough to draw new nurses and will keep veteran nurses, who work day and night for their patients, in the profession."
The breakthrough came when the Ministry of Finance relinquished its demand that nurses work an extra two shifts each month for the higher salary.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 20, 2012
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2012
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 20, 2012
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2012