Ronnie Bar-On
Finance minister slams teachers' strike
Ronnie Bar-On calls on teachers to call off strike planned for Wednesday, saying move harms pupils' interests
"Using strikes as weapons is inappropriate because it harms the interests of the students," Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On said Monday in respond to threats by teachers to launch a strike on Wednesday.
A defiant Bar-On said the government would not heed demands by the teachers for a pay raise. The government will stick with a reform plan for schools agreed between the teacher's unions and the Education Ministry.
Middle and high school teachers plan to launch an open strike on Wednesday in the Jewish sector, with Arab schools planning to join the strike a week later.
Bar-On called on the teachers to call off the strike and accept the reform plan which is good for teachers and students.
Earlier on Monday a meeting between representatives from the Teachers' Association and the Education Ministry ended without results. As of now, the decision to launch the strike, which was reached Tuesday evening, stands.
Education Minister Yuli Tamir is expected to hold another meeting Tuesday with the representatives, who are demanding a wage increase and an improvement in the teachers' working conditions.
