Israeli Teachers' Union Reaches Agreement to Cancel Salary Deductions and Maintain Shortened Workweek

Ran Erez, chairman of the Israeli Teachers' Union, announced on Wednesday that an agreement was reached with the Finance and Education Ministries and the Local Government Center regarding employment conditions for high school teachers. Following the agreement, the union canceled the labor dispute declared in May and revoked planned salary deductions for teachers on June 8, a day when schools were closed due to conflict with Iran. The union stated that teachers continued to teach and prepare high school students for matriculation exams online that day.

The agreement allows schools that have switched or will switch to a five-day school week by September 1 to continue this schedule at least until the end of 2028. Additionally, the directive that sought to end teachers' ability to perform remote work hours was canceled. This issue had been central in recent years, with a 2022 arrangement permitting high schools to adopt a five-day week without reducing teaching hours, with some hours completed remotely.

The deal also includes an increase in the matriculation exam bonus for physics teachers teaching the five-unit level, raising it from 2% to 4% starting September 1, aligning it with the chemistry teachers' bonus. Furthermore, homeroom teachers with integrated special education students will receive an annual grant of 600 shekels for one integrated student and 2,000 shekels for two or more, retroactive from September 1, 2025, payable by September 2026. The quota for teachers eligible for early retirement will increase from 320 to 350.

In return, during the 2026-2027 school year, teachers will assist with four hours of substitute teaching, coordinated with them and based on school needs. The union emphasized the difficult situation and teacher shortages, stating that high school educators are "carrying the burden." Ran Erez said the union achieved most of its negotiation goals and will continue working to improve teachers' conditions and rectify injustices in the education system under the Education Minister's responsibility.