Employees of Bituach Leumi, the National Insurance Institute, somewhat similar to America’s Social Security Administration, have announced that beginning today, Sunday, they are implementing work sanctions as a first step in the escalating battle between management and labor.

Labor union representatives insist that management has not been forthcoming and an agreed upon contract is not being signed. They warn that the sanctions which will close offices nationwide today as well as resulting in other disruptive activities, is a only a first step and they are unwilling to tolerate a continuation of the current situation, signaling they will escalate to a total strike if need be.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)