It is "essential" that all of its
unions agree to the labour conditions required for Etihad's
investment in Alitalia, the Italian airline said Friday.
"The cohesion and sharing of decisions by all the unions is
essential to the successful of completion of arrangements with
Etihad," Alitalia said.
Its statement came the same day that shareholders in the
troubled carrier approved a capital increase of up to
250-million euros to keep Alitalia operating as its completes a
deal with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways.
The deal itself was not discussed at the meeting, sources
said, but Alitalia's 2013 budget was approved.
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad has been negotiating to invest about
560-million euros in exchange for a 49% stake in the struggling
Italian carrier.
But talks have snagged on conditions set by Etihad
including restructuring of debt that some estimate to be as high
as 800-million euros and labour cuts.
Alitalia, which is not publicly traded, did not release its
2013 financial results but reports have suggested it lost as
much as 569-million euros.
Earlier in the day, a majority of unions approved the
labour conditions demanded by the deal, but at least one holdout
called for re-negotiation of those conditions.
"Now, we need to go back to the table," said Marco
Veneziani, deputy secretary-general of Uilt.
"We have to make a new agreement".
But other Alitalia unions and the company itself said that
the current deal remains valid.
"About 30% of voters in 25 hours with over 80% in favour,"
said FIT CISL chief Giovanni Luciano via Twitter.
"Quorum not reached, agreement valid," he added.
While Etihad's investment will keep Alitalia alive, the
United Arab Emirates carrier will increase its access to
lucrative European markets.
In addition to labour concerns, other problems still to be
resolved relate to concerns raised by investor Poste Italiane,
which is seeking assurances it will not be stuck with Alitalia's
current debt obligation if it increases its stake.
Last year, the Italian postal service invested 75 million
euros in Alitalia as part of a government engineered
500-million-euro bailout of the country's flag-carrier.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
