Israel Railways employees launch strike

Israel Railways employees launched an unannounced strike that took effect at midnight local time on 4 February 2009 and has resulted in the cancellation of all services on north- and south-bound lines in the country. The powerful Histradrut labor federation has condemned the wildcat strike -- which was called to protest fraud charges filed against union members -- and Israel Railways management quickly requested that the National Labor Court issue an injunction against it. It is not known if train services have resumed, but reports have cited "unusually heavy traffic" throughout Israel.