Teachers Back in School, But Strike Not Quite Settled

By Hamodia Staff

YERUSHALAYIM – The teachers’ strike appeared headed for a settlement on Sunday as schools were set to return to normal on Monday amid reports of progress in negotiations with the Finance Ministry, The Times of Israel said.

“The Finance Ministry has finally made a concrete offer [for increasing teachers’ salaries],” union chief Yaffa Ben-David said Sunday evening, after meeting with Kobi Bar-Nathan, director of salary and employment agreements at the Finance Ministry.

Ben-David noted that there were still “significant” disagreements between the union and the ministry, but was hopeful they could be overcome.

“We decided to meet again tomorrow and try to bridge the gaps,” she said.

Ben-David warned, however, that the union would not hesitate to “renew the fight,” if an understanding was not reached within the coming days.

The strike escalated last Wednesday and Thursday from late morning classroom openings to full-day walkouts, disruption school schedules and making life difficult for parents.

But on Friday, teachers returned to the classroom at the request of Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton.