Ryanair strike warning shameful-Calenda (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, December 15 - Industry Minister Carlo Calenda on Wednesday blasted as "shameful" a Ryanair letter to its pilots in Italy warning them they risk future salary increases, promotions and transfers if they take part in a strike on December 15.
    "This is not within the realm of my responsibility, but I think there should be an intervention," he said.
    "You cannot be on the market, take the advantages and not respect the rules". The head of Italy's strikes watchdog Giuseppe Santoro Passarelli said Wednesday that the Ryanair letter was probably unconstitutional. "The statements by the Ryanair management appear to not respect the principles of our law regarding striking which, if exercised legitimately, is considered a Constitutional right," Santoro Passarelli said. "I would like to recall that law 146 (on strikes) censures company conduct can determine the outbreak or aggravation of the conflict".
    Transport Minister Graziano Delrio called the letter "an unacceptable threat to workers".
    Labour Minister Giuliano Poletti called the letter "extremely serious" and recalled that the right to strike was guaranteed by the Italian Constitution.
    Consumer group Codacons said "this is an act against the law and the minister should revoke the airline's licenses".
    Michele Anzaldi of the ruling Democratic Party "the authority should weigh whether to take slots away from Ryanair".
    Anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Luigi Di Maio said "it is time to review Ryanair's contracts".