Israeli Teachers' Union Ends Labor Dispute After Reaching Key Agreements with Treasury and Education Ministry

The chairman of the Israeli Teachers' Union, Ran Erez, announced on Wednesday that significant agreements were reached with the Treasury and Education Ministry concerning salaries and working conditions for middle and high school teachers. Among the key outcomes, the planned salary deductions related to last month's fighting were canceled, and the five-day workweek model will continue. Erez stated, "We have secured significant achievements for the teaching community," while also criticizing Education Minister Yoav Kish, saying the union will continue to work to correct injustices in the education system under his responsibility.

The agreements, reached after negotiations involving the Teachers' Union, Treasury, Education Ministry, and the Local Government Center, include the cancellation of salary deductions for the June 8 day of fighting, recognizing teachers who continued preparing students for matriculation exams online despite school closures. Schools that have adopted or will adopt the five-day workweek model by September 1, 2026, will maintain it until at least the end of 2028.

Additional terms include the cancellation of a directive to stop paying for remote work hours, an increase in the matriculation bonus for physics teachers from 2% to 4% starting September 1, 2026, and annual grants for integration class educators ranging from 600 to 2,000 shekels per student, retroactive from September 1, 2025. The quota for early retirement will increase from 320 to 350 teachers. During the 2026-2027 school year, teachers will also assist with four hours of substitute teaching, coordinated with the teacher and school needs.

Following these agreements, the Teachers' Union canceled the labor dispute declared in May and will continue discussions with the ministries on unresolved issues. The union acknowledged the severe teacher shortage, noting that secondary education teachers will be heavily burdened. Erez emphasized the union's commitment to improving teachers' working conditions and status and addressing systemic issues attributed to Minister Kish.