What to expect for Wednesday's slated nationwide strike

Here are some of the details you should know going into the public sector strike starting tomorrow at 6 a.m.

By NIV ELIS
Updated: DECEMBER 22, 2015 21:13
A sign on a business notifying of a strike (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)
A sign on a business notifying of a strike
(photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)
Assuming the Histadrut labor federation and Finance Ministry don’t come to a last-minute wage agreement or the courts don’t intervene, the Histadrut will embark on a public sector strike at 6 a.m. Wednesday, shutting down all non-emergency public services.
Here are some of the things you should know going into the strike:
Schools: School’s out for the strike. Kids and students at public universities, alike, will be able to sleep in. Daycare centers and special needs education will function as normal, according to the education ministry.
Transport: Train and Egged bus services will be out of commission, which is just as well for parents who will be stuck at home with their kids and can’t go to work.
Airport: If you’re planning on flying in the morning, check your flight – it may have been moved up to before the 6 a.m. strike start. Other than that, expect cancellations, delays and re-bookings, even if the strike only lasts a few hours.
Hospitals: Public hospitals, the Clalit Health Fund, MDA and even the fire emergency rescue services will participate in the strike but will continue to run on a lighter “shabbat” schedule to field emergencies. If you can help it, though, don’t get sick or have a fire.
Ports: If you’re a business expecting a delivery from abroad or trying to export your goods, don’t hold your breath. The ports at Haifa, Ashdod and Eilat will not be operating.
Government services: Unplug that fax machine, there will be no business with the government, whether it’s tax collection or registering your car. The same is true for local authorities, so tie your garbage bags tight, they won’t be collected until after the strike.
Culture: If you’re blocked from going to work, don’t plan on filling your day with culture. Museums ranging from the Tel Aviv Art Museum to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem will lock their doors. Maybe it’s a good time to take in the new Star Wars flick (and may the Force be with us all until the strike is over).
Check Jpost.com for updates.


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