After last minute talks on Monday night between the Finance
Ministry and the Histadrut broke down without reaching any
agreement, a "general strike" began on Tuesday morning for an
"unlimited" time.
This strike is not as comprehensive as the two-day strike two
weeks ago. The stock exchange and the banks are operating as
usual, as are radio and TV stations. Schools opened one hour
late. Post offices are open. The airport is open but there
are disruptions in service including late takeoffs and
landings and delays in distribution of luggage.
Chareidi schools did not participate in either strike. Even
though the chareidi community is bitterly opposed to the
Finance Ministry's proposals, halting the Torah learning of
the children is not considered a suitable means of protest.
As of 9:00 am, 600,000 public sector workers went on strike,
shutting down government ministries, local authorities,
trains and defense industries.
Negotiations between teams headed by Minister without
portfolio Meir Sheetrit (who is attached to the Ministry of
Finance) and Histadrut chairman Amir Perez went on throughout
the night. Although there was progress, at 5:00 am, the
discussions were halted upon mutual consent. Minister of
Finance Benjamin Netanyahu participated only in the first
hour of negotiations. He went at midnight, leaving Sheetrit
in charge.
In the absence of an agreement, the Histadrut called for a
general strike to get underway. The expectation is that it
will not last long.
"There are still broad gaps," Sheetrit said, "but there is
progress between the two sides. There is no need for a strike
that mainly harms the workers. Shutting down export, for
example, damages not only factories, but their workers as
well".
