More sanctions ahead, as no progress on doctors’ dispute

Israel Medical Association meets again with Labor Court to discuss doctors' demands, but two-hour session yields no results.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
doctors protest 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
doctors protest 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
The Tel Aviv Regional Labor Court met on Thursday afternoon yet again at the request of the Israel Medical Association (IMA) to discuss the doctors’ dispute with the Treasury, and called on the two sides to report back before the next hearing on Sunday.
The dispute over wages, manpower, reforms, pensions and bonuses for working in the periphery has been going on since April.
The Treasury reiterated that it opposed across-the-board wage increases for doctors. Instead, it said it was willing to hike the salaries of those in poorly-manned specialties in the outlying areas, as well as those of medical residents and other young doctors. It also continued to insist that physicians use time clocks in the workplace.
“We are sorry that the IMA has not made good use of the time set down for negotiations by the labor court and continues to deal with every issue except those that are significant and advance the talks,” a Treasury spokesman said. “Unfortunately, the IMA has not reacted sincerely on any of these subjects and wants to turn minor matters into main and important issues.”
A spokeswoman for the IMA said it called the court into session to raise the issue of retired doctors who, even after having reached higher ranks, receive low pensions because many wage components are not included in the computation of retirement benefits. In addition, the IMA asked for a discussion of compensation for medical residents.
The sanctions will continue next week. On Sunday, work will resume according to normal schedules at 10 a.m.
On Monday, outpatient clinics will be closed in the following hospitals: Barzilai, Kaplan, Soroka, Josephthal, Bikur Holim, the two Hadassah University Medical Centers and Shaare Zedek. Health fund clinics and geriatric and psychiatric hospitals will function normally.
On Tuesday, outpatient clinics will be closed in the following hospitals: Sheba, Tel Aviv Sourasky, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson and Hasharon Campuses, Wolfson, Assaf Harofeh, Meir and Beit Loewenstein. Again, health fund clinics and geriatric and psychiatric hospitals will function normally.
On Thursday, all medical institutions will follow a normal schedule.