Clalit Health Services will hold a 24-hour "warning strike" on Thursday across Israel in a protest of what their workers' union calls an "attempted takeover" by the Health Ministry, the union announced.
The strike will take place in all districts nationwide, including clinics, hospitals, and all sectors of the healthcare provider's organization.
This follows an announcement by the Health Ministry on Tuesday, which discussed establishing an external committee to examine the operations of Clalit Health Services, the organization's management, and its relations with the board of directors.
According to the ministry, the committee's purpose is to ensure that the organization is managed properly and efficiently, in accordance with corporate governance principles.
However, the union views this as an unprecedented attempt to undermine the independence of Israel's largest healthcare provider.
"In light of the Health Ministry's decision to take over Clalit Health Services and deliver a fatal blow to its managerial independence, we have decided to immediately launch a fight against external forces attempting to cut our wages, halt the recruitment of additional workers, carry out layoffs under the guise of 'efficiency,' and replace our excellent employees with outsiders," union chair Prosper Ben-Hamo wrote in a message to union members.
Health Ministry has crossed a red line, Clalit union leader states
Ben-Hamo also stated that union leadership views the recent actions of the health ministry as crossing a red line that requires a strong response.
He also called on decision-makers to stop the "power and honor struggles" and engage in immediate negotiations with the workers' representatives.
Widespread disruptions are expected across all Clalit services, including the cancellation of appointments, clinic closures, and hospitals operating only in emergency cases.