Border Controllers Cancel a Strike After Reaching an Agreement on Salary Dispute

Border controllers of the Population Authority within the Ministry of the Interior announced on Friday that they would strike at border crossings, including Ben Gurion Airport, in response to a salary dispute. However, within two hours, the strike was canceled after the Histadrut, Israel's trade union, reached an agreement with the state to resolve the issue.

The controllers had planned the strike due to a problem with a new salary system that resulted in the non-payment of part of their wages for January and February. In response to the crisis, the Histadrut announced that the state had agreed to take swift action to rectify the situation.

Agreement Reached for Payment Correction

Ofir Alkalai, Chairman of the Histadrut of State Employees, confirmed the resolution of the wage issue, stating that the state would act immediately to correct the payment discrepancies. He assured me that the payments for January and February would be made in full by March.

In addition, the workers will receive an advance payment of NIS 5,000 per employee on March 3. This amount will be distributed over five installments. In cases where employees face special circumstances, the Histadrut will work with them to adjust the installment schedule.

Histadrut Emphasizes Commitment to Worker Welfare

Alkalai expressed serious concern over the impact of the wage delays on the border controllers, emphasizing their crucial role in securing Israel's borders. He called for immediate action to address the issue, stating that a collective agreement should be pursued in 2025 without delay to improve salary conditions for these dedicated employees.

The resolution of the dispute marks a return to normal operations at Israel's border crossings and airports after a brief period of uncertainty caused by the threatened strike.