Israel's Histadrut labor federation has called a nationwide general strike to protest free-market reforms proposed by the right-wing government. The strike, which involves 400,000 public-sector employees, has affected the country's international airport, seaports, government offices, banks, financial markets, hospitals, fire departments, and transportation services. The Histadrut is demanding that municipal workers whom have not received a salary in many months be paid by the government.
See "Israeli Unions Launch Nationwide Strike", The New York Times, September 20, 2004