Strike sign of govt-union - president

(ANSA) - Turin, December 12 - 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.