Whirlpool workers on Monday asked
for Pope Francis' help in their battle to keep their jobs.
"We call on Pope Francis to give us a hand in the battle
we've fighting for the past month," said UILM union delegate
Antonietta Cerullo.
"We're willing to send a delegation to the (pope's weekly)
Wednesday audience".
The unions have been fighting the home appliance maker's
plan to lay off 2,060 people or 30% of its Italy workforce - a
plan Labor Minister Giuliano Poletti has said is "unacceptable"
and Industry Minister Federica Guidi called "unspeakable".
No progress has been made in spite of a month of
government-brokered talks between labor and management.
FIM, FIOM and UILM unions have announced an eight-hour
strike set for June 12 involving the entire Whirlpool
group.
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