Hundreds of Teachers Flock to New Union After Labor Court Recognition

The teachers’ group “Mofim Mavilim Shinui” is seeing a surge of interest after a labor court gave it preliminary recognition as a workers’ organization. Since yesterday, the group says hundreds of educators unhappy with the established unions have contacted it, gathered signatures, and asked to join. CEO Yair Weigler told Walla the response has been overwhelming, saying, “Since yesterday it’s complete madness. There are dozens and hundreds of inquiries, and dozens of new members. As an organization, we have never experienced anything like this.”

Weigler said the organization relies on volunteers and is handling requests from across Israel and from different communities, including Arab teachers and ultra-Orthodox kindergarten teachers. He stressed that the goal is eventually to become a representative union, even though the legal process is not over. The Teachers’ Union has said it will appeal to the National Labor Court, and the current ruling also means the Education Ministry will not collect “treatment fees” from members of the new organization.

The dispute began over fees charged to educators who moved from the Teachers’ Union to the new group. At the same time, the Israeli Teachers’ Union, led by Ran Erez, recently said it would allow elementary school teachers to join, underscoring the intensifying fight over who represents teaching staff. For now, the Teachers’ Union still handles collective bargaining for elementary education, while the Teachers’ Organization represents high school workers.

Weigler said membership should be separated from salary agreements, arguing that elementary and high school teachers will still be covered by “Ofek Hadash” and “Oz LeTmura” respectively, regardless of which union they join. Supporters of the new group accuse the old unions of opaque pay practices and a lack of transparency. Tsvika Leibovitz, a math teacher and one of the leaders, said the group wants a transparent alternative that rewards quality, initiative, and achievement rather than only seniority, and gives principals and local authorities more flexibility. Rachel Leishner Ford, a Bible teacher and activist, said teachers are finally regaining the right to choose their union and called that “a huge achievement.”