The Histadrut labor federation decided Sunday to declare a general labor dispute in protest of the Finance Ministry's refusal to present a financial safety net for pension and retirement savings.
For the first time in a long time, the dispute will include the private sector as well, including banks and industry workers. Thus, if a general strike breaks out, it may also include factories, banks and the Bezeq communications company.
The declaration will be brought before the Histadrut's leadership on Tuesday for approval, meaning that a general strike could be called two weeks from Tuesday.
Talking to Ynet on Saturday, Histadrut Chairman Ofer Eini denied the Treasury's claim that providing a pensionary safety net would cost the State sums that it would not be able to afford.
According to Eini, "The Treasury says different things each time – once 35 billion, then 20 billion, then much more and then must less.
"We offer a safety net which should not even cost money in the next three years, because according to our proposal, the pension savings of adult people will be given the option to be put on hold for three years.
"If the stock market sees gains again, the State won't lose a penny. And if the stock exchange continues to fall, the money will only be paid in three years. In any case, the Treasury is unwilling to discuss this issue with us, so it's unclear what sums they are talking about. We are willing to discuss the sums."
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