Teachers End Strike

Some 300,000 high school students returned to their classrooms today for the first time in 43 days as their teachers ended a strike for higher wages. The 39 member National Teachers Council decided last night, by majority vote, to end their seven-week-old walkout apparently on the basis of a promise by Premier Menachem Begin that he would do his best to gain Cabinet approval of the recommendations of a committee of experts studying the teachers’ demands.

That issue had been the main stumbling block in the strike negotiations. The teachers agreed to accept the committee’s findings–yet to be formulated–but the government insisted on the right to reject them if they exceeded the wage ceilings for public employees. Begin’s promise, made to teachers’ representatives here yesterday, was a compromise. While the Cabinet will still be free to turn down the committee’s recommendations, Begin’s pledge to support them made their acceptance more likely.

High schools will remain open through the Chanukah holiday and for most of the Passover recess in April to make up for the last time. Students can also look forward to spending part of their summer recess in the classroom.

The decision to resume classes in what is normally the Chanukah vacation period caused some confusion today as many of the youngsters were away from home on organized or individual trips to the Negev, the Galilee or Tiberias. Education Minister Zevulun Hammer last night personally urged all students to return home in time for classes today. Many students were absent today but classes are expected to return to normal tomorrow.