Local authorities strike to continue

PM's Office rejects deal brokered between Interior Ministry, Local Authorities Union despite successful negotiations, says demands will cost billions

Attila Somfalvi|Published: 01.17.12 , 00:39

The general strike launched in local authorities across Israel on Monday will continue until the municipalities' demands are met, National Union of Local Authorities Chairman Shlomo Buhbut told Ynet.

Interior Minister Eli Yishai and NULA delegates held marathonic discussions throughout Monday evening, but the Prime Minister's Office said that the agreement reached pertaining to the 14 issues which prompted the strike was not viable.

The issues successfully negotiated include suspending what NULA members consider "detrimental" legislation, a reduction in water tariffs and regulating contribution to municipalities.

ראשי הרשויות עם ישי. נתניהו עדיין לא אישר את המסמך (צילום: אטילה שומפלבי)

Yishai and the NULA forum (Photo: Attila Somfalvi)

Still, the Prime Minister's Office rejected the deal: "The demands are simply unrealistic. Meeting them will cost billions," a source close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Ynet.

"The ball is in the prime minister's court," Buhbut said. "The strike will go on until he approves the agreement."

Meanwhile, a number of municipalities – mostly those governed by Likud-affiliated mayors – announced that they will not continue the strike on Tuesday.

Omri Efraim contributed to this report