Strike! Strike?

I have to admit I didn't know anything about the potential strike until yesterday. I received a few emails from different departments at the university saying that there was a potential strike to be held today. At the time I was more worried about finishing my Akkadian homework.

From what I understand this strike is about government contract workers. We discussed the strike this morning in Modern Hebrew class which means some of this information may not be entirely correct as I received it in Hebrew. From my understanding the contract workers do not receive benefits and receive less pay. In their situation there is no chance for advancement to better pay and benefits.

The strike was supposed to shut down airports, seaports, mass transportation, government offices and universities. The emails I received said that even if there was a general strike classes would still be held at Rothberg I guess because we are separate from the main university.

There was a strike this morning but it was only from 6am to 10am. Why? Because a judge limited the strike. I am so confused about this. I don't understand what is the point of a strike if a judge can tell you to limit the hours? Currently the Finance Ministry is in talks with Histadrut and they have to report back to the judge on Thursday. So if the talks fall through there is a potential of a strike on Thursday. Histadrut is one of the big labor unions in Israel. This was an interesting lesson to have this morning in Hebrew.