The Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) began a general strike at 8:30 this morning. The entire public sector is on strike in protest against the ongoing failure to pay wages to the local authorities’ employees.
A last-minute attempt last night by representatives of the government and the strikers to reach agreement and avoid the strike failed. Ministry of Finance director general Joseph Bachar, Union of Local Authorities chairman Adi Eldar, and Histadrut Trade Union division head Shlomo Shani took part in the meeting.
Over six months after the local authorities crisis began, and the salaries of 20,000 workers were delayed, the Histadrut decided to show solidarity by putting the entire economy on strike indefinitely, “until the problem is solved.”
All incoming and outgoing flights at Ben Gurion Airport have been grounded, and the seaports are also closed. Israel Railways is not operating, and banks are closed, but money can be withdrawn from ATMs. The banks have said that strike days will not count as value days - interest will neither be credited nor debited to accounts. There is no trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and the Bank of Israel will not set representative foreign currency exchange rates. Post offices are closed. Government and Clalit Health Services hospitals are operating on a weekend and holiday footing, with operating theaters used for emergencies only.
Disruptions are expected in schools. WIZO, Na’amat, and Emunah daycare centers are closed, kindergarten assistants are not at work, and kindergartens may close earlier than usual. Administration workers at universities, institutions of higher education, and the ORT and Amal education networks are striking.
The strike also includes the Israel Electric Corporation, Bezeq (TASE: BZEQ), Mekorot National Water Company, Oil Refineries, Public Works Department, and Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline Co. Malfunctions are being repaired only in cases of emergency. Border crossings are closed, and courthouse clerks and typists are on strike. All civil servants are on strike, and government offices are closed, including the National Insurance Institute, the Israel National Employment Service, the Ministry of Finance income and property tax division, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the religious councils, and the local authorities. Garbage is not being collected, and parking tickets are not being issued. The Fire Department is operating on an emergency footing. Civilian employees of the Israel Defense Forces are also on strike, as are employees of RAFAEL Armament Development Authority, Israel Military Industries, and the Negev Nuclear Research Center.
At a meeting of the Histdrat strike headquarters, Histadrut chairman MK Amir Peretz (One Nation) said, “Wages must be paid, without any conditions. No one, not even the prime minister, has the right to set any conditions whatsoever for payment of many months of salaries owed to the workers. The government is turning salaries into charity. Wages are not a favor; they are a legal obligation. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu, and Minister for Internal Affairs Avraham Poraz are not enforcing the law. They’re turning Israel into a third world country.”
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on September 21, 2004