Israeli Nurses Declare Labor Dispute, 60,000 Prepare to Strike Over Work Conditions

The Israeli Nurses Union announced a labor dispute on Thursday involving approximately 60,000 nurses working in hospitals, clinics, health institutes, maternal care centers, and nursing schools. The union cited increasing workloads, physical and mental burnout, and the government's and employers' failure to improve working conditions as the main reasons for the dispute.

Key issues include a steady rise in workload without adequate support, deteriorating work conditions that threaten care quality, and insufficient staffing and infrastructure. The union also criticized the state and employers for ignoring workers' demands, obstructing improvements, and imposing hiring restrictions that prevent recruiting new staff. Additionally, concerns were raised about the replacement of professional nurses in operating rooms with unqualified technical workers and plans to privatize student health services unilaterally, which could negatively impact nurses' rights and conditions.

Saul Skiff, chairman of the Israeli Nurses Union, emphasized the critical situation amid the ongoing health challenges following the war, stating that nurses continue to bear unbearable burdens with severe staff shortages and inadequate infrastructure. He warned that the union would not hesitate to use all available means to protect nurses' rights and ensure the healthcare system can provide professional, safe, and proper care now and in the future.

Last month, the union sent a stern letter to Health Minister Haim Katz threatening strike action. The letter highlighted a shortage of about 1,200 nursing positions, including over 1,000 vacancies in hospitals and around 200 in student health services and maternal care centers. The union accused the Ministry of Health of acting in bad faith by imposing hiring restrictions and neglecting the nursing profession while undermining the nurses' organization through privatization efforts.