Talks to avert a local government strike impacting some 150 cities and municipalities throughout Israel failed during the night, leading to the launching of the strike at 6:00AM Wednesday morning, 21 Kislev. The strike was launched in protest to government cuts to local governments in the new state budget that was approved this week.

The strike will impact all municipal services including garbage collection. In some cities, schools will not open. Jerusalem City Hall announced schools will operate. However, some aides are paid by a local authority and not the Education Ministry. They will be striking. Local health, welfare and other services however are on strike.

However, strikers are in no hurry to return to work for unlike some countries, when they strike here they continue receiving salaries if they appear at work and do nothing.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)