New Collective Agreement: Israel's Firefighters Receive Salary Increases and Improved Conditions
The Histadrut and the Ministry of Finance have signed a six-year collective agreement for Israel Fire and Rescue Services employees. The deal includes salary increases of thousands of shekels, bonuses, improved retirement terms, and disability insurance coverage.
The Histadrut, the Maof Union, Israel Fire and Rescue Services, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of National Security, and representatives of the Firefighters' Organization signed a new collective agreement on Wednesday for the employees of Israel Fire and Rescue Services.
The agreement, which will be in effect for six years, marks a significant milestone for firefighters in Israel. After years of negotiations, the deal brings real improvements to salary, working conditions, and retirement benefits for the entire fire and rescue system.
The fire and rescue system relies on personnel who are on the front lines of public protection year-round: during fires, rescue operations, and emergencies. This agreement seeks to provide practical recognition of the importance of this work and to strengthen those who bear significant public responsibility.
As part of the agreement, salary increases were set for shift and day workers, along with dedicated increases for command positions and seniority-based raises for permanent firefighters. The deal also includes bonuses upon signing, employer participation in disability insurance, and improved retirement conditions.
Key highlights of the agreement include:
-
Restructuring of salaries for new firefighters with increases of thousands of shekels.
-
Percentage-based salary increases for officers and command staff.
-
Regulation of transitions from shift work to day work due to injury or illness.
-
Salary increases for headquarters staff ranging from 700 to 2,600 shekels.
-
A shekel-based increase of 450 to 550 shekels for "Generation B" employees.
-
Improved retirement agreements for "Generation A" employees worth hundreds of thousands of shekels.
Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David stated: "Firefighters stand on the front lines of civil defense. This agreement is not just a professional or salary correction; it is an expression of appreciation for the people who protect us all. We have managed to improve working conditions, strengthen job security, and provide a response to real needs from the field."
