Ei-iE

The Israel Teachers’ Union has delivered significant results for educators across the country, minimising the impact of recent salary cuts on the profession.

The Israeli Ministry of Finance recently introduced two decrees impacting teachers. The first decree instituted a 3.3% cut in the salaries of all public sector employees, including teachers, in order to fund Israel’s military. A second decree provided compensation to public sector employees in order the alleviate the impact of the salary cuts, but teachers were unilaterally excluded.

While legally unable to challenge the salary cuts, the Israel Teachers' Union (ITU), headed by the General Secretary Yaffa Ben-David, protested teachers’ exclusion from compensatory measures.

On May 4, 2025, classes in all educational institutions throughout the country began at 11:00 am, with special education institutions excluded from the work stoppage. Between 8:00 and 11:00 am, teaching staff held information sessions but did not work with students.

In a significant victory for teachers, the Labour Court accepted ITU’s arguments that the decree discriminated against teachers.

Delivering results for educators

With the support of the Minister of Education, ITU negotiated with the Ministry of Finance and achieved an improvement for Israeli educators.

While the cut in teachers' salaries was supposed to be 3.3% (between 300 - 860 NIS / up to 215 euro), the cut now stands at only on 0.95% (86 - 270 NIS / up to 67 euro). In addition, the salary cut will apply for a limited period – from May to the end of December 2025.

The Israel Teachers' Union reported that it was the only union that stood up for its members and challenged the salary cuts in the public sector.