Doctors to reduce sanctions for 2 weeks as talks continue

Physicians demand that increasing the quota of medical positions be part of the negotiations from this point.

By JONAH MANDEL
doctors protest 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
doctors protest 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
The Tel Aviv Labor Court refused on Wednesday a request from the Treasury that it issue restraining orders against the Israel Medical Association.
The doctors, who have been in a labor dispute for two months, agreed to tone down their sanctions over the next two weeks. The Treasury had demanded that the doctors cease all sanctions for a month.
In return, the doctors demanded that increasing the quota of medical positions be part of the negotiations from this point.
The protocol of the hearing detailed where and to what extent the doctors would work in the next two weeks. A hearing was scheduled at the court for June 12, when the sides are to report on their progress in the negotiations.
The court finished by calling on the parties to put an end to their dispute, “for the welfare and health of the citizens of Israel.”
During the hearing, the Treasury told the court it was willing to improve its monetary offer if the IMA agreed to use time clocks.
“We expect the IMA to... waive [the demand] for raises for all the doctors, and to engage in a discussion on implementing attendance clocks,” the Treasury said in a statement.