Labor union declares nationwide strike over Teva lay-offs

Histadrut labor union federation chief Avi Nissenkorn announces a warning strike for Sunday over the planned axing of as many as 3,300 jobs by Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva. If the number is indeed that high — the official announcement from Teva is expected Thursday — it would mark the biggest single lay-off by any company in Israel’s history.

Teva’s announcement of the expected firing leads the primetime national news today, in part thanks to the size of the lay-offs and in part because of Nissenkorn’s threat.

The strikes will affect “all of Teva, of course, all its factories,” Nissenkorn says, “and also the rest of the economy, banks, ports, municipalities, health funds.”

The one-day strike, from Sunday morning to afternoon, includes Ben Gurion Airport, Nissenkorn says.