The Histadrut national labor federation announced Tuesday that it would hold a general strike countrywide July 22, unless the Finance Ministry compromises in ongoing negotiations over the work conditions of public sector contract workers.
The contract workers are usually low paid security guards, cleaning women, etc., who are hired for fixed periods of time and then fired, and thus do not qualify for benefits and rights accorded to more permanent workers.
Hitadrut head Avi Nisankorn held a press conference in Tel Aviv Tuesday and announced that the strike would commence in two weeks unless negotiations – which began eight months ago but have since stalled – are restarted, and significant inroads are made.
"We will show our solidarity, our power, and our commitment to this issue,” he vowed.