President Giorgio Napolitano
said that Friday's general strike was a sign of tension between
trade unions and Premier Matteo Renzi's government, adding that
such friction was not good for the country.
"The general strike called today is undoubtedly a
significant (sign of) tension between the unions and the
government," the head of State told reporters in Turin.
"It's good for there to be reciprocal respect, not the
bitterness that today is a sign of. It's is not good for the
country".
Tension has been especially high in recent months between
Renzi and Italy's largest trade-union confederation, the
leftwing CGIL, especially its metalworkers arm FIOM.
CGIL leader Susanna Camusso has accused Renzi of not
being open to dialogue, while Renzi has said the government does
not have to negotiate with unions when it is making policy.
Additional tension in run-up to Friday's general strike
was caused by Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi's decision to
impose an injunction to prevent rail workers taking part.
Lupi's reversed that decision late on Thursday.
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