Strike authority deems June 11 RAI protest 'illegitimate'

(see previous) (ANSA) - Rome, June 3 - Upcoming industrial action announced by unions representing employees of State broadcaster RAI is 'illegitimate', Italy's strike authority said Tuesday.
    In particular, the Guarantee Authority on strikes in essential public services pointed out that the walkout set for June 11 did not conform with the norm whereby two strikes affecting the same sector must be held at an interval of no fewer than 10 days. The USB trade union has, in fact, already proclaimed a strike for June 19, the authority said. Broadcast unions announced the June 11 strike action on Friday in response to government plans to cut funding to the bloated and politically influenced broadcaster to the tune of 150 million euros in a move which director general Luigi Gubitosi said would probably lead to job cuts. Premier Matteo Renzi has vowed to slim down RAI and turn it into a truly impartial public-service broadcaster.