Italy sees national strikes

Last month saw a series of national strikes in Italy in protest against the government's plans to weaken legal protection against dismissal.

There were strikes across large parts of the private sector on 5, 6 and 7 December. On 10 December it was the turn of the transport workers, who struck for four hours, and on 14 December public sector workers, who are also concerned about their pay, were out for eight hours. The same day also saw strikes in energy, telecommunications and the banks.

Sergio Conferatti, general secretary of CGIL, the largest union confederation, described last month's action as "just the start".

The effect of the government's proposals is to end protection against unfair dismissal for important groups of workers, including those taken on by companies employing fewer than 15. This has provoked unanimous opposition from the three main union confederations, CGIL, CISL and UIL, who have differing views on the overall labour market plans of the Berlusconi government (see Labour Research November 2001, page 8).

It remains to be seen whether a common union front can be maintained, but the action and a joint statement, expressing "very extensive concerns" about "numerous other aspects" of government policy, suggest the government may not be able to divide the unions as it had hoped.