Israeli Universities and Junior Academic Staff Reach New Wage Agreement
The heads of Israeli universities and the coordinating council of junior academic staff organizations have signed a new collective agreement covering junior faculty at Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar-Ilan University, University of Haifa, and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The agreement, effective from July 2025 to April 2029, includes a total salary increase of 11%, with an additional 3% allocated for local university-specific agreements.
Key provisions include enhanced seniority steps for teaching assistants and "parallel track" staff who reach the previous maximum of six years of service. The agreement also standardizes vacation pay for adjunct lecturers to public sector rates and increases pension contributions for them, with both employer and employee portions rising. Teaching assistants and "parallel track" staff with at least 50% employment for the past three years will receive a commitment letter improving job security after six years, down from the previous eight.
A significant change affects "Science Relations" funds, previously redeemable as cash upon employment termination. Due to the Finance Ministry's demand, this option will be phased out. Employees can redeem funds accrued until June 2025, and under certain conditions, continue to accrue redeemable amounts until June 2028. After this period, these funds must be used for research and conferences, with no cash redemption option for unused portions.
The agreement also addresses the employment conditions of retired lecturers with low pensions. Those receiving less than 16,923 shekels (135% of the average wage) monthly will be employed as "teaching assistants" with broader social benefits. Retirees with higher pensions will be employed as "adjunct lecturers." This threshold will be frozen until the end of the 2028 academic year before being indexed to inflation.
Starting next academic year, lectures can be recorded, with universities obligated to protect copyright and prevent unauthorized distribution. Recordings will be for student viewing only and can be deleted by faculty after exams. Additionally, course leaders must clarify non-frontal task expectations with teaching assistants before employment to prevent unagreed duties.
