Teachers' Union Head Urges Education Minister to Stop Illegal Salary Deductions Amid Iran Tensions

Ran Erez, chairman of the Israeli Teachers' Organization, sent an urgent letter on Tuesday to Education Minister Yoav Kisch demanding the regulation of teachers' salaries and an immediate halt to what he calls illegal wage deductions. Copies of the letter were also sent to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and local government representatives. The letter follows Kisch's directive to close all educational institutions on June 8 due to escalating tensions with Iran, citing concerns for the safety of students and teachers.

Despite the physical school closures, Erez states that teachers continued working remotely to prepare students for their matriculation exams. However, a letter from the Deputy Salary Supervisor dated June 29 has been used as justification to deduct wages from all teaching staff indiscriminately, regardless of whether they fulfilled their duties that day. Erez sharply criticizes this move for lacking negotiation or consultation with the teachers' union and for worsening conditions for educators compared to other public sector workers.

Erez calls on Minister Kisch to urgently resolve the issue and prevent further unlawful salary deductions, emphasizing that the matter is solely the minister's responsibility. He wrote, "Just as you instructed us not to come to schools, I ask and expect you to promptly address this matter and stop the illegal deductions and unnecessary harm to teachers' pay."