RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- The union of public employees said Wednesday it was beginning a partial strike as the government failed to meet their demands.

Public sector workers will stop work for several hours over the next few days in a push for talks over salary raises, application of bonuses and the treatment of the union by official PA radio and TV.

Union secretary-general Mohammad al-Araj said the dispute has been rumbling on for over a year and a half.