UBS חותך את מחיר היעד למניית לאומי ב-20% ל-17 שקל; משאיר ההמלצה על "קנייה"

With Moti Bassok, Haaretz Correspondents, and Haaretz Service

Overnight talks between Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Histadrut labor federation chairman Amir Peretz failed to avert a widening of the national strike which began Tuesday.

The talks over differences on the government's economic austerity plan, ended without agreement, and workers from more public sectors joined the strike.

Netanyahu and Peretz agreed to meet again at 2 P.M. Wednesday, in an effort to bridge the gaps between the sides. Israel Radio reported Wednesday that one of the main stumbling blocks remains the Histadrut's vehement objection to the government's plan to raise the retirement age for women to 67.

On Tuesday, school studies began an hour late, state-run hospitals were operating on a Sabbath schedule, and clinics of the Histadrut's Clalit health maintenance organization were being staffed only by doctors.

Ben-Gurion International Airport experienced some work stoppages, while sea ports, border crossings and trains were not operating. Bezeq, Mekorot Water Company and the Electric Company were not repairing technical faults, while government and municipality offices were closed and garbage was not collected.

Wednesday's strike will cause approximately the same work stoppages as did Tuesday's strike.

Schools will begin an hour late, at 9 A.M. Government and municipality offices will be closed, garbage will not be collected, state-run hospitals will operate on a Sabbath schedule, and sea ports and trains will not operate.

Ben-Gurion International Airport will be open, but is expected to experience some work stoppages, as it did Tuesday. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, the banks and the post office will not be affected by the strike.

Who's on strike?

Flights to and from Ben-Gurion International Airport are running as normal, but those hoping to leave the country should expect long delays. Sanctions by ground staff at the airport are holding up departures by several hours and those landing in Israel are waiting hours for their baggage. Customs official are also striking, and there are no spot checks on arrival in the country.

The education system will start at 9 A.M. Wednesday, as teachers delay the start of studies by one hour. Thereafter, studies will be as usual.

All government offices ¿ including the Interior Ministry, which issues passports and identity cards, and the Transport Ministry¿s licensing offices ¿ are closed Wednesday, as is the National Insurance Institute and the Employment Service.

Local authorities also joined the strike Wednesday. Refuse is not being collected and parking tickets are not being issued. In state-run kindergarten¿s parents have stepped in to replace teaching assistants, although kindergarten teachers are not on strike. The municipal telephone hotlines have gone cold, and religious councils are not providing services to the public.

Bank workers have, so far, not joined the strike, and on the stock exchange it¿s business as usual.

Gas supplies could be affected if the strike goes on for more than one or two days, as oil refinery workers went on strike Wednesday. Gas stations employees continue to work as normal, however.

Israel¿s ports are closed, and no ships are allowed to dock and those already in port cannot unload their cargo.

Israel¿s border crossings with Jordan and Egypt are closed.

Inter-city and urban bus services are running according to schedule, but there are no trains at all.

Bezeq workers are also on strike, although emergency provisions have been made for the security services, hospitals and Magen David Adom. Bezeq¿s directory inquiries service is not working.

The Israel Electric Company has also been hit by the strike, with only emergency services being provided.

Postal workers have been allowed to continue working and post offices are open. Mail is being delivered.

With the exception of Clalit, all other HMOs are working as normal. Clalit employees are on strike, although doctors are working. Branches are open, but patients are warned to expect delays. State-run hospitals are operating a skeletal crew, and only emergency procedures will be carrie dout. Well-baby clinics remain closed.