Israeli Nurses Declare Labor Dispute Over Severe Staffing Shortages and Workload

The Israeli Nurses and Nurses Union announced a labor dispute on Thursday, citing unbearable workloads and a severe shortage of nursing staff. This declaration paves the way for approximately 60,000 nurses across hospitals, health funds, and public health services to strike in about two weeks. Union Chair Shaul Skif stated that for over a year, nurses have warned the Ministries of Health and Finance about the unsustainable burdens they face, but their concerns have been ignored. He expressed disappointment that after three years of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflict, during which nurses have given their utmost, the government has failed to provide the necessary resources to care for Israeli citizens.

According to the union, the healthcare system currently lacks over 1,000 nursing positions. Skif emphasized that the nursing workforce cannot collapse to the point of endangering lives due to governmental negligence. He called for an immediate emergency meeting to negotiate increased staffing levels to ensure proper care, a responsibility enshrined in the National Health Insurance Law. The union also demands that the Ministry of Health uphold its agreement to return school health services to state responsibility and halt further unilateral privatization plans. Skif warned that any unilateral moves preventing nurses from delivering optimal preventive care to students will be blocked.

The labor dispute also addresses alleged attempts by hospitals to cut costs amid the shortage by violating protocols, such as replacing nurses with technical staff in operating rooms. The union insists on providing nurses with a safe and appropriate work environment that enables them to deliver adequate care to the public, concluding with a call for accountability from the health authorities.