Last update - 00:00 23/10/2007
University strike enters 3rd day as senior faculty reject mediation
By Tamara Traubmann, Haaretz Correspondent
The senior faculty strike at universities enters its third day, after their representatives decided to reject Education Minister Yuli Tamir's proposal Sunday to bring in an outsider to mediate between the sides.
Eli Cohen, Finance Ministry wages director, accepted the mediation proposal. However, the lecturers decided to reject it saying they do not need a mediator as they are prepared to negotiate for as long as necessary, and the mediation's final objective is unclear.
There is no strike at the Open University and colleges.
The strike lost some force by not reflecting across-the-board action. University presidents decided to hold classes and discussion sections run by adjunct instructors and teaching assistants, who do not belong to the senior faculty union.
There has been a major increase in recent years in the number of courses taught by adjuncts and TAs - about a third of courses at Hebrew University, and about half the teaching load at Tel Aviv University.
Meanwhile, there is growing criticism of the senior faculty for waging a separate battle.
"We have tried to engage the senior faculty in joint battles for a long time, especially on the issue of terms of employment for adjunct staff," said Dr. Daniel Mishori, former chair of the junior staff union at Tel Aviv University. "So far we've received mainly sympathy. I would be delighted to see the adjuncts and senior faculty fighting together against salary erosion. We have a joint interest, because with adjunct instructors - temporary and disenfranchised - there won't be much academic freedom left at universities."
Asked why lecturers have never waged a united campaign, Mishori replied: "Apparently someone opted for the narrow interests of the senior group over a broader perspective and over collegiality among all university employees."