Whirlpool workers call on pope for help

(ANSA) - Caserta, May 25 - 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.