CGIL, UIL call general strike for December 12 - update 3

(ANSA) - Rome, November 19 - Two of Italy's three big trade union confederations, the CGIL and UIL, agreed at a meeting on Wednesday to stage a general strike on December 12 against the government's Jobs Act labour reform and its 2015 budget law. The other big confederation, the CISL, said it will call a strike of public sector workers next month, but will not take part in the general strike. "We reached a significant level of agreement with UIL on the budget law and the Jobs Act," said CGIL chief Susanna Camusso after a meeting with the leaders of UIL and CISL. "We agreed to hold a general strike with events in the regions on December 12," she added, referring to nationwide rallies.
    Labour Minister Giuliano Poletti said the strike was groundless. "I don't think there are reasons for making such a important decision like that of declaring a general strike," he said.
    The leftwing CGIL, the biggest of the unions, had previously said it would hold a general strike on December 5 to protest against the government's Jobs Act labour reform and its 2015 budget bill and invited both UIL and CISL to join in.
    The December 5 date, a Friday, had been criticised as some said it would exploit people's desire have an very long weekend, as the following Monday, December 8, is a national holiday.
    CISL leader Annamaria Furlan confirmed that her union's members would not join the December 12 action.
    "We didn't pull out. We never considered calling a general strike," she said.