Strike. Archive
Strike. ArchiveFlash90

A general strike that had been planned throughout Israel starting at 6:00am on Tuesday morning was averted at the last minute after marathon negotiations between representatives of the Finance Ministry and the Histadrut Labor Federation.

The Histadrut had asked the government for a 10.5 percent raise over three years. The treasury, however, had offered only 1.5 percent. However, after last minute negotiations which lasted for over 12 hours, the two sides reached an agreement by which the employees would receive a 6 percent raise over a period of three and a half years.

Had the strike gone ahead as planned, government ministries and institutions such as Israel's postal service, water works, and the National Insurance Institute would have ceased operations. The airport and the trains would have been shut down, and even hospitals would have dealt with emergencies only.

The two sides are expected to sign a new wage agreement during the day on Tuesday.