About 6000 salaried physicians went on strike this morning after the government rejected their demands for a 60 percent wage increase. All hospitals, clinics and sick-fund offices were closed except for emergency cases. Only emergency cases were admitted to hospitals and only emergency surgery was being performed. Patients who had been waiting for as long as several months for surgery were sent home. The striking physicians set up an emergency headquarters where persons can phone for medical assistance.
The doctors walked out after a marathon negotiating session that broke up at 4 a.m. Health Minister Victor Shemtov informed them that the government cannot offer them more than the 45 percent wage increase that was agreed to, albeit reluctantly, by finance Minister Pinhas Sapir some time ago. Shemtov said the physicians’ wage demands exceeded those of any other group in the country and would have to be brought before a Cabinet meeting. The doctors claimed that the Cabinet had ample time to settle the problem and went on strike.
Finance Minister Pinhas Sapir and Deputy Prime Minister Yigal Allon will address Israel Bond meetings throughout the U.S. and Canada this month in the final phase of a drive for $75 M in tribute to Premier Golda Meirs 75th birthday.
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