Italian call for flexibility

Sergio D'Antoni, the general secretary of CSIL, Italy's second largest union confederation, has called for greater flexibility in "taxation, pay and labour". Speaking after a meeting of CSIL's executive committee on 4 July he said that Italy's two-level system of collective bargaining should be reformed. The industry level, which at present covers most negotiating issues, should in future, according to CSIL, set only minimum pay levels and the procedural framework. All other issues should be dealt with at company or local level. At present company and local level negotiations are limited to dealing with the impact of increased productivity.

His approach is not shared by other Italian unions, in particular Italy's largest confederation, CGIL. However, D'Antoni indicated this should not be a fundamental block. CSIL would not accept a veto from the other confederations and if necessary was "ready to go it alone".