Italian public-sector settlement is put in doubt

A new settlement for Italy's public sector, including schools, looked to be in jeopardy as Workplace Report went to press.

A provisional agreement was reached on 6 April, providing for an average increase of €101 a month in large parts of the public sector and €210 for teaching staff. But unions were unwilling to accept the deal in full unless the minister for the public sector made it clear that money would be available to pay for the increases – and a document from the ministry on 12 April, suggesting that there was only finance for a real increase of 0.76% over two years, looked set to torpedo the deal.

Gianni Baratta of the CISL union confederation described the document as “a very heavy blow and one which is inconsistent with the memorandum the government signed”.

The next steps are unclear but it seems that the public sector strike planned for 16 April will go ahead, although at a later date.