Midday Strike Hits Bank Branches Across the Country
Employees of a major Israeli bank are going on a targeted work stoppage today, from 12:00 noon until the end of the workday. The action affects 180 branches from the north to the south, including advisory centers and the call center, with about 8,000 workers participating. The strike follows a previous warning action and is being led by the bank’s employees’ union, which says management has ignored workers’ demands and refuses to budge from its position.
Why the Strike Is Happening
According to the union representing Bank Hapoalim staff, the strikes are taking place because the bank’s leadership has persisted in ignoring employee demands and has hardened its stance despite prior warnings. A union spokesperson stated: “These strikes are taking place in light of the continued disregard by the bank’s management of workers’ demands and its obstinacy in its positions, despite the previous warning strike.”
Over recent months, the union has engaged in negotiations with the bank’s management, but the talks have been slow and often unproductive. The union notes a pattern of aggressive management behavior toward staff even as the bank reports substantial profits for 2024 and anticipates even higher earnings in 2025.
What the Bank Plans to Change
The union points to a broad restructuring pushed by the bank’s executives. The plan reportedly includes the elimination of about 770 positions through not filling vacancies and consolidating roles, paired with the forced redeployment of hundreds of employees. The changes are expected to impact wages and career progression, compounding the stress on workers already managing increased workloads in recent years.
Impact on Customers and Services
With 8,000 staff on strike and 180 branches closed from midday onwards, customers are likely to face longer wait times, disrupted advisory services, and limited access to call center support. The union argues that the scaled-back operations will harm service quality and customer experience, particularly for those who rely on timely financial guidance amid complex banking needs.
What’s Next
Negotiations between the union and the bank’s management are ongoing, but there is no immediate resolution in sight. The union emphasizes that any settlement must address staffing levels, fair compensation, and clear commitments regarding career development before operations can return to normal. Observers note that the bank’s reported profits, alongside planned cuts, will likely fuel public scrutiny of how profits are balanced with employee welfare.
Statements from the Union
The union insists that solid progress requires a change in management’s approach toward workers and a commitment to restoring trusted working conditions. It remains to be seen how long the stoppage will continue and what consequences it may have for customers and the bank’s reputation.
