Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat was among the speakers addressing the labor court late Tuesday night the eve of 17 Tishrei after it was learned most of the striking light rail employees were not returning to work. The court earlier in the day instructed the employees who called in sick, which accounted for two-thirds of light employees, to report back to work or to a company doctor for a medical exam.

CityPass, which operates the light rail, turned to the court late Tuesday night in an effort to restore regular chol hamoed service by Wednesday morning. Mayor Barkat told the court that he checked with city health officials and he is unaware of any virus of flu type illness that has spread throughout the city. He added “If it smells like a duck, appears like a duck and acts like a duck, then it is a duck and the sick out is nothing less than an unauthorized strike”. The mayor urged the court to use its authority to compel employees to return to work as the light rail strike left many thousands and tens of thousands of commuters stranded on chol hamoed Sukkos.

The court ordered the employees back to work or alternatively, report to a CityPass doctor to verify their illness. While many/most returned to work on Wednesday 17 Tishrei, service was not at the level promised for chol Hamoed Sukkos when so many additional visitors to the city rely on the light rail, especially traveling to and from the Kosel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)