Israel's largest hospital on the way to a strike: "We have reached the limit"
The Histadrut and the workers' committee are threatening to declare an official labor dispute at Assaf Harofeh Hospital, which will lead to severe disruptions in essential departments and surgical units due to a breakdown in negotiations with management.
The Histadrut and representatives of the health corporation employees at the Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh) issued a formal warning on Tuesday, stating: "If the management of the corporation and the medical center does not come to its senses immediately and return to the negotiating table with a genuine intent to reach agreements, an official labor dispute will soon be declared, leading to organizational measures and widespread disruptions in the medical center's operations."
According to the Histadrut, this step follows a prolonged period of attempts to regulate critical issues concerning employment conditions, rights, and job security for hundreds of employees—attempts that were met with disregard and foot-dragging by management. These employees work shoulder to shoulder with state-employed staff, performing identical duties while suffering from significantly inferior salary and welfare conditions.
Should the labor dispute proceed, severe disruptions are expected in several essential services, including:
-
Hyperbaric chamber operations
-
Ambulatory surgeries
-
The imaging institute
-
Dental and eye clinics
-
The allergy institute, clinical pharmacology, and clinical research systems
Deputy Chairman of the Trade Union Division, Adv. Uri Fleishman, stated:
"The corporation's management is mistaken if it thinks it can continue to ignore the workers. The Histadrut will not allow the perpetuation of a distorted reality where employees performing the exact same work do not receive the same rights as their colleagues."
David Reuven, Chairman of the Histadrut in the Rishon LeZion region, emphasized that the employees are the "spearhead of the system" and will not be treated as second-class workers. Avital Leshem, chair of the employees' action committee, added: "We have reached the limit of our patience. We requested a respectful dialogue but were met with cold indifference. If management does not realize that the corporation cannot function without us and engage in serious negotiations, we will have no choice but to take organizational measures to halt work."
