JERUSALEM: Israeli diplomats escalate simmering pay dispute as strike forces shut down of diplomatic missions, a move Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman calls "irresponsible"

Record ID: 341519

  • Title: JERUSALEM: Israeli diplomats escalate simmering pay dispute as strike forces shut down of diplomatic missions, a move Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman calls "irresponsible"
  • Date: 24th March 2014
  • Summary: JERUSALEM (MARCH 24, 2014) (REUTERS) ISRAELI DIPLOMATS PROTESTING OUTSIDE FOREIGN MINISTRY POLICEMAN NEXT TO SIGN READING 'MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS' DIPLOMATS PROTESTING SIGN READING IN HEBREW 'STRIKE HERE' (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPOKESMAN FOR DIPLOMAT'S UNION, YACOV LIVNE, SAYING: "It's the first time at the history of the state of Israel that the Foreign Ministry is
  • Embargoed: 8th April 2014 13:00
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  • Location: Jerusalem
  • City:
  • Country: Israel
  • Reuters ID: LVA28IFX79WLST6T3SPY013B65JH
  • Story Text: Israeli diplomats launched an unprecedented strike on Monday (March 24) forcing the complete closure of embassies around the world as they escalated a dispute over pay, officials said.
    The industrial action has already threatened to postpone a visit by Pope Francis to Israel planned for May - one of 25 trips by foreign officials affected by a work slowdown the diplomats began on March 5 when wage talks broke down.
    By escalating the action to a full strike - the first by the diplomatic corps since the country's establishment in 1948 - the diplomats will close all of Israel's 102 missions abroad, paralysing most diplomatic work with other countries and the United Nations (UN).
    Diplomats said the strike - involving some 1,200 foreign service employees - was open-ended and had been called for after the Treasury had failed to present any acceptable proposals.

    "It's the first time at the history of the state of Israel that the Foreign Ministry is on strike. We are striking because people at the Finance Ministry are trying to destroy the diplomatic service of the state of Israel. And we will do everything to avoid this," Yacov Livne, a spokesman for Diplomat's Union said.
    Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman called the strike "irresponsible" and "a wretched decision and a display of a loss of control on union's part".
    They are demanding an increase in monthly salaries, which they put at 6,000-9,000 shekels ($US1,700-2,600 dollars) and want compensation for spouses forced to quit jobs due to foreign postings. The protesters said about a third of their number has quit in the past 15 years due to poor wages.
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