If an agreement is not reached in the ongoing marathon talks, the Histadrut National Labor Federation will launch a nationwide open-ended general strike. The strike will begin at 6:00am on Monday morning, 10 Cheshvan.

The prime minister today, 9 Cheshvan, called on the nation’s union to back down from the strike, but at present, it does not appear that this will be the case. The prime minster stated his administration has made great strides towards protecting and improving worker rights and a strike simply will not increase sympathy for the cause.

The Histadrut is unwilling to accept the growing trend of manpower agencies being hired to fill positions, a reality that strips workers of rights and benefits. This situation currently impacts the lives of 400,000 members of the national workforce. The manpower solution is becoming increasingly popular in the public and private sector, including security personnel, banks, nurses, teachers, psychologists, and rabbis. At present, 20% of the national government’s employees are not actually government employees, but employees of manpower agencies, and therefore, receiving a significantly reduced social benefits package.

In the Ministry of Housing, the number of manpower employees amounts to 35%, Interior Ministry (31%), Absorption Minister (21%), Welfare Ministry (22%), Communications Ministry (21%), Education Ministry (18%), Public Security Ministry (12%), Health Ministry (11%), National Infrastructure Ministry (9%), Industry & Trade Ministry (5%).

The Union of Local Government has turned to the National Labor Court seeking an injunction that would prevent the strike.

Following is a list of some of the services, companies and agencies that will be striking:

1. Ben-Gurion International Airport (all incoming and outgoing flights will be halted).
2. Hospital move to Shabbos schedule (all non life-saving surgeries will be postponed. Outpatient clinics closed, and any non-emergency treatment will be postponed)
3. Seaports will be closed, shutting the Ports of Haifa and Ashdod.
4. Local government will be closed, halting all municipal services in all cities and municipalities and regional councils.
5. The Knesset will be on strike.
6. Universities will be closed (Hebrew, Ben-Gurion, Weizmann, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Bar Ilan, Open, Kibbutzim, ORT and others)
7. All bus service will be halted (Including Egged and Dan) (Seems to be unclear – Egged co-op partner drivers may be working and just employees are striking). If this is the case, there will be bus service, albeit much less than regular.
8. Israel Television will be off the air
9. TASE (Tel Aviv Stock Exchange) will be closed.
10. Banks will be closed
11. All courts
12. WIZO and Na’amat daycare centers close (Emunah centers will operate)
13. Utility companies (electric and water) will only handle emergencies
14. Clalit Kupat Cholim (HMO) will be closed

Elementary and high schools will be operational.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)