Strike (file)
Strike (file)Flash 90

A huge swath of Israel's work force may go on strike Tuesday to pressure Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz into approving a wage hike for public sector employees. The strike was called by the Histadrut, the umbrella group of labor federations.

The strike could be called off at any time, and similar walkouts have often been canceled at the last moment after breakthroughs in negotiations. However, as of Monday afternoon, the strike is expected to include the following:
 
The Prime Minister's Office and Chief Rabbinate; Ministry of Interior, including the Population Registry; Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Transportation; Finance Ministry; Ministry of Absorption; the Justice Ministry, including civilian and rabbinical courts; Welfare Ministry (except special institutions for children which will operate in Shabbat mode); other government ministries.
 
The Postal Authority; the National Insurance Institute; the Repossession Authority (Hotza'a LaPoal); the Tax Authority, including Income Tax and VAT; the Bank of Israel; the Israel Lands Authority; the Central Bureau of Statistics; the Second Authority for Television and Radio.
 
Magen David Adom emergency services will operate in Sabbath mode, as will the Israel Broadcast Authority.   
 
Local authorities will be on strike except for rescue and emergency operations.
 
The Airports Authority, including Ben Gurion Airport, will be on strike, as will the Israel Railway Authority and the ports in Haifa, Ashdod and Eilat. 
 
Government and municipal hospitals will operate in Sabbath mode. 
 
The Israel Electric Company will only deal with emergencies. Mekorot, the national water company, will operate in Sabbath mode, as will phone company Bezeq.