(haipo) – A frontal confrontation is developing between the Teachers’ Union and the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education, following a unilateral deduction from the salaries of teachers and kindergarten teachers that was discovered just on Independence Day. While the state tries to prevent sanctions by decree, parents are surprised, children are confused – and teaching staff are determined. The Labor Court has ruled in part: classes can be disrupted, but only until 10:00.
The Labor Court ruling leaves parents uncertain
The Labor Court's decision to prohibit the issuance of blanket restraining orders against teachers, but to limit the duration of the sanctions to 10:00 a.m., led to chaos. A message to parents was not sent until 8:30 a.m., announcing that school would not start until an hour and a half later. This meant severe disruption: many transportation services were out of service, and parents were forced to find solutions within minutes.
Instead of calming the mood, the decision created a sense of confusion and resentment. On the one hand, the court recognized the teachers' right to strike; on the other, it imposed a restriction that did not allow for advance planning of the agenda, leaving thousands of families without a solution.
Italian strike and rapid mobilization by education staff
On Thursday, teachers and kindergarten teachers began preparing to disrupt the school day on Sunday. It all started after many of them were shocked to discover on Independence Day, 01/05/2025, that their paychecks had been deducted – between 400 and 900 NIS. This is a deduction of 3.3% of their monthly salary.
According to the Teachers' Union, the state has stipulated by law that all state employees must pay this amount from their salaries. But while workers in other sectors received compensation, teachers did not. This situation created a sense of blatant discrimination, which gave rise to the sanctions.
Secretary General of the Teachers' Union: "I will not allow discrimination against teaching staff"
Yaffe Ben David, Secretary General of the Teachers' Union, thanked the public for the broad support and made it clear: the teachers will not surrender. According to her, the court recognized the teachers' right to strike, and this is an important achievement.
Ben David also made it clear that she would not allow discrimination against teaching staff, adding that she intends to fight any attempt to harm teachers' rights. This firm stance sparked many reactions, including from elements in the political system, who expressed support for the struggle.
The Minister of Education changes direction – twice
Initially, Education Minister Yoav Kish supported a move that required teachers to bear the cost of the offset. However, after mounting public pressure and public support for the teachers, he changed his mind and expressed support for the sanctions.
However, on Saturday evening, under heavy pressure from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Kish withdrew his support and joined the appeal to the Labor Court with the aim of issuing injunctions.
The Ministry of Finance threatens: "We will not pay anyone who brings a sick leave certificate"
In another controversial move, the Ministry of Finance warned teachers that it would not pay salaries to those who bring in sick notes, claiming that these were "preliminaries." The Ministry of Finance even claimed that there were legal precedents for this.
In response, Ben David said that she was not at all familiar with the concept of "recovering teachers," and emphasized that this was a serious attempt at intimidation. In quite a few schools, the situation worsened: entire teaching staff were absent, and the administrations were forced to inform parents that there would be no classes at all.
Public support for teachers is surprising even in a time of emergency
Despite the Finance Ministry's claims that now is not the time for disruptions - during a war - public support for teachers has actually strengthened. Many parents expressed understanding for the predicament the teaching staff has found themselves in, even though they themselves are being affected by the disruptions.
Members of Knesset, council heads, and council members across the country showed solidarity with the struggle, and protested against the selective harm to the public of teachers and kindergarten teachers. The prevailing argument: Especially during this sensitive period, the rights of teaching staff must be guaranteed – and not sacrificed on the altar of the budget.
All eyes are on the meeting with the Ministry of Finance
A critical meeting is expected to be held this morning at 10:00 AM between the Teachers' Union and the Ministry of Finance. The fate of the continuation of the sanctions depends on it. If no understanding is reached between the parties, there is a possibility of continued disruptions, strikes, and perhaps even a worsening of the measures.
The public, especially parents, are hoping for a quick solution, but many of them understand the importance of the struggle. The question that remains open: Will the government understand that teachers are not the weak link – but the backbone of Israeli society?
Although I usually don't agree with teachers, this time they are not 100% right, but 1,000,000%...
While the Treasury is wasting our money on coalition maintenance expenses (which a large part of the people no longer wants), a disconnected government that, while cuts are being made to everyone, is turning a blind eye and raising its own salaries, demands that the little people who are always giving give more... and the disgrace is not the government's... you'd be surprised, the disgrace is the people's who chose that way...