Strength in numbers
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Doctors' strike: Residents stage mass resignation
Residents deposit letters of resignation with third party, say will use them if wage talks fail
The doctors are gearing to take strike to the next level: Dozens of Sheba Medical Center residents convened Tuesday for a protest meeting during which they intend to stage a mass resignation.
The residents said that they will sign letters of resignation and entrust them to a third party, adding the letters would be submitted as a last resort if their demands are not met.
Similar actions is being taken by residents in other hospitals across Israel.
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"It is clear to us that we are fighting a just fight. A fight for our home. Our only option is to win, because we are fighting for our patients," the doctors said in a statement.
Health Crisis
Ynet reporters
Wage negotiations between doctors, Treasury deadlock once more prompting physicians, residents across Israel to walk out on shifts en masse
On Monday, the residents published a list of "red lines" – fundamental demands regarding wages and working hours they say the Treasury must meet.
"Should these issues not be addressed in the new agreement, we will have no choice but to use the legitimate option of resigning," the residents' statement said.
Dr. Nadav Haim, who represents the residents, said that the protest movement will not obligate any resident to sign a letter of resignation, and that they are free to follow their conscience.
"This really is a 'last resort' measure, which is why we're not submitting the letters," he explained. "The idea lies in the collective act… we know that some prestigious residencies were extremely hard to get into and that signing a letter of resignation is not an easy decision to make. Nevertheless, we are determined to stand together, fight and win."
Tomer Velmer, Ahiya Raved, Roi Mandel, Nir Cohen and Ilana Curiel contributed to this report
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