Court cancels planned Jerusalem light rail strike

The Jerusalem District Labor Court issued a staying order against a planned strike by the city’s light rail drivers that would have canceled rail service on Tuesday.

In its late Monday decision, the court ordered the light rail’s management, employees and the Histadrut Labor Federation, which has helped organize the planned strike, to expedite negotiations toward a resolution of their dispute.

The drivers are demanding a pay raise they say is overdue.

The staying order will expire after one week.

The court noted in its decision the recent wave of Palestinian terror attacks and protests in East Jerusalem that have already created transportation and other difficulties for city residents.

“The gaps” between the sides, the decision reads, “are not great, and therefore it is appropriate to give one last push to the negotiations, and not create additional difficulties for Jerusalem residents.”