Three Strikes Threaten Israel’s Economy; Conciliation Moves Continuing

Three major strikes gripping Israel, which threaten to seriously cripple her economy, continued in effect today. Maintenance workers continued to strike for the ninth day against the El Al airline with attempts at conciliation proving futile. Spokesmen for the workers announced today that they were abandoning the slow-down tactics adopted during the previous eight days and were now calling for an all-out strike. Curtailed schedules had to be maintained by the airlines. An attempt was made early this morning by the workers to prevent the takeoff of a plane on its way to New York. After an hour long discussion with the General Director of El Al, workers left the runway where they had gathered and allowed the plane to take off. Meanwhile, electrical power was severed in several towns and rural areas today, as a strike against electric power stations in Ashdod and Eilat remained in effect. Although workers have reported to the stations, normal work has not been resumed and the usual current capacity is not being produced, causing pressure on the Tel Aviv and Haifa power stations already working on reduced standards. In addition, secondary schools across the country remained empty as conciliation efforts with 1,000 striking secondary teachers who are demanding higher wages were made by Education Ministry officials. As heated debates between the two groups continued, televised courses for eighth graders who take matriculation examinations this year were being planned by the Education Ministry.