Administration of Courts Employees Declare Labor Dispute Over Workloads
Some 2,400 Administration of Courts employees declared a labor dispute over heavy workloads and uncoordinated organizational changes, threatening strikes starting November 8.
Some 2,400 employees of the Administration of Courts have been included in a labor dispute declared following disagreements between the employee representation and management regarding heavy workloads, organizational changes, and employment conditions. Employee representatives stated that no final decision has been made yet on what organizational steps will be taken, though a strike remains an option.
The labor dispute notice, signed by Ofir Alkalai, chairman of the Union of State Employees, specifies that industrial action can be initiated starting November 8. One of the central points of contention involves the appointment of dozens of new judges, which employees argue was not accompanied by a sufficient addition of administrative personnel. According to the union, past practice dictated that appointing a judge included assigning a legal assistant and a typist, alongside reinforcing secretarial staff, whereas today existing employees are required to cope with growing demands without adequate support.
Organizational Changes and Disciplinary Actions
Employee representatives also claim that typists who were previously assigned to specific judges are now being rotated among judges according to systemic needs. Dispute documents assert that the appointment of new judges created significant operational burdens without proper preparation for the consequences on administrative staff.
Another dispute revolves around organizational changes promoted by management. The union maintains that while a collective agreement was signed to regulate a reform, some of the changes are being implemented without consulting or obtaining the consent of employee representatives. A key flashpoint occurred at the District Court in Lod, where typists left a newly created WhatsApp group involving department managers in protest against an organizational shift. Following this, the union claims, 23 typists were summoned for disciplinary hearings.
Additional Grievances and Management Stance
Dispute filings further allege that workers face threats of disciplinary hearings and that management is attempting to alter the status of the workers' committee. Additional complaints concern plans to relocate the Magistrate's Court on Weizmann Street in Tel Aviv to a temporary alternative venue without prior negotiations with the union, despite the direct impact on staff and their employment conditions.
The Administration of Courts responded: On October 25, 2026, a request was submitted to the chairman of the Union of State Employees, Ofir Alkalai, regarding the labor dispute declaration at the Administration of Courts. At this time and without addressing the merits of the matter, the Administration of Courts has no comment.
