Italian unions step up strikes

Italy's three main union confederations, CGIL, CISL and UIL, have intensified their campaign of industrial action against the right-wing government of Silvio Berlusconi. They are protesting against government plans to weaken unfair dismissal protection (see Labour Research January 2002 page 8) and to change pension arrangements.

Following sectoral strikes in December, last month the unions organised a series of regional strikes, with different regions being called out on different days. There were also separate strikes by air traffic controllers, airline staff and teachers. A strike of all transport workers other than local transport (buses and metro) was due to be held as Labour Research went to press.

Berlusconi attacked the union action, talking of the "uncertain social character, but a clear political stamp of the strikes". But the unions have rejected this. Luigi Angeletti, general secretary of UIL, the smallest of the confederations, said that the success of the strikes showed that the unions "had not just motivated the politically committed".

Union pressure may be paying off. Labour minister Roberto Maroni said he was prepared to "change my opinions", if it could be shown that the law would not have the positive effects on employment he hoped.