Israeli Nurses Defy Back-to-Work Order
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JERUSALEM — Striking nurses defied an emergency back-to-work order Thursday, refusing to return to their jobs on the fourth day of a walkout that has crippled Israel’s hospital system.
The Health Ministry issued the emergency back-to-work order after talks in Tel Aviv among representatives for the nurses, the Finance Ministry and the Health Ministry broke down.
Finance Minister Moshe Nissim, who reportedly offered the nurses a 12% wage boost, said he asked Atty. Gen. Yosef Harish to take legal action against the nurses, Israel radio reported. He did not specify what that action might be.
An estimated 11,000 nurses walked off their jobs Monday in a dispute over pay, working conditions and union representation. Israeli nurses earn a base salary from $235 to $365 a month for experienced workers.
The nurses are reportedly demanding a 100% pay increase.
As many as 40 Israeli hospitals have had to scale back non-critical services because of the strike.
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