Histadrut heads say this is the first step, and that it will be followed by other painful measures.
The Histadrut's (General Federation of Labor in Israel) expanded strike committee is expected to declare today a general public and private sector strike for several hours on Monday. The expanded strike committee includes trade union leaders, regional directors and representatives of workers committees from across Israel.
The strike will be defined as a warning strike. Histadrut heads say this is the first step, which will be followed by other painful measures, up to declaring an general strike pf unlimited duration in early September.
Monday's strike will cover all government ministries and agencies, local authorities, Israel Airports Authority, ports and railways, public transportation, government companies and private sector enterprises.
Histadrut Trade Union division head Shlomo Shani told ''Globes'' there were three reasons for the strike: The Ministry of Finance and private employers' refusal to renew the cost of living wage increments agreement, despite the high inflation; the Ministry of Finance's refusal to complete the 1999-2001 and 2002-03 wage negotiations; and the cuts in the 2003 budget.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on August 6, 2002