Tel Aviv University
צילום: ניב קלדרון
Professors: Academic year won't open Sunday
University lecturers to launch strike due to 'erosion of salaries'. Representative: Finance Ministry may save a few shekels on wages, but we will not be able to bring back the thousands of scientists who have already left the country
Representatives of universities' academic staff officially announced that they would go on strike this coming Sunday, when the academic year is scheduled to begin.
Among the universities expected to remain closed are Tel Aviv University, Haifa University, Hebrew University, Bar-Ilan, the Weizmann Institute and the Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa (Technion).
Unlike previous strikes, MA and advanced studies classes will also remain closed.
Professor Zvi Hacohen, head of the academic staff's coordinating committee, said Thursday following a meeting with Finance Ministry officials that the university lecturers' salaries had been eroded by more than 15% in recent years.
"We are demanding compensation from the Finance Ministry and the creation of a system that will prevent an erosion of salaries in the future," he said. "There cannot be a situation whereby the wages of senior academic personnel, which serve as Israel's strategic and economic spearhead, will be eroded so significantly.
"The path taken by the Finance Ministry may save a few shekels on wages, but we will not be able to bring back the thousands of scientists who have already left the country," said Hacohen.
Meanwhile, the universities' presidents are also threatening not to open the academic year as planned on Sunday, if the Shohat Commission's recommendations to funnel funds to the universities are not implemented immediately.
