While the Histadrut national labor federation strike that began last week was to have ended, after the euphoria of announcing that an agreement between the labor union and treasury was reached the sides sat down to fill in that agreement. Unfortunately, this is yet to occur and the strike enters into its fifth day Sunday morning, 19 Shevat 5772.

While Israel Railways announced it is going to run trains, Egged’s cooperative owner drivers announced they are joining in with strikers, which will result in delays in bus service nationwide. Fortunately, 70% of the Egged drivers are employees and not co-op owners, so the majority of drivers will not be striking. Egged is also calling on retired drivers to report for duty to assist in maintaining bus services. Dan bus service delays are also expected. It appears treasury demands for guaranteed quiet for the coming years; a commitment of no strike is at the heart of the ongoing dispute.

Sundays are especially difficult, with tens of thousands of soldiers returning to bases. The bus service is more critical than ever with soldiers banned from Israel Railways between 6:00am-9:00am. (Soldiers may travel on trains during those hours if they are willing to pay. Soldiers in uniform are not required to pay for buses and trains but due to the new regulations, they may no longer travel railways during the Sunday morning rush hour for free, the critical time for they usually have to return to bases early).

Bank of Israel and Israel Manufacturers Association officials warn of the damage to the economy from the strike, placing that figure at a minimum of 2.5 billion NIS daily.

The airport operated on a regular scheduled on erev Shabbos and there is no mention of Ben-Gurion International Airport being included in today’s strike. That same holds true for seaports.

The negotiators are scheduled to meet at 10am to resume talks after they failed to do so on motzei shabbos.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)