MK bodyguards to begin strike after wage deal canceled
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Security firm Mikud decided at the last minute to cancel an agreement that would have raised the wages of bodyguards assigned to MKs, paving the way for a bodyguards strike that will begin on Monday.A total of about 170 security guards tasked with protecting 22 MKs will go on strike, not including bodyguards belonging to the president, prime minister, foreign minister or defense minister.According to Channel 2 news, Mikud pays their bodyguards NIS 22 per hour. The bodyguards submitted their complaint to the Histadrut labor federation, which in turn petitioned the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry to come to an agreement with Mikud over the security guards' wages.Despite fruitful negotiations between the ministry and Mikud, the security firm reneged on its agreement at the last minute saying it needed more time to consult the Finance Ministry, and prompting the strike.The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) said it was aware of the strike, but claimed that it would not put the security of Knesset lawmakers at risk, according to Channel 2.
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