Unions, govt sign contract pay rise

(ANSA) - Rome, December 1 - Italy's three largest trade union confederations CGIL, CISL and UIL have signed an agreement with the government that grants a pay rise on civil servant contracts, ending a seven-year deadlock.
    The unions signed the agreement Wednesday evening, which will add "no less than 85 euros per month" to 3.3 million employee contracts, for a total of 5 billion euros once the program is running at full speed.
    Civil Service Minister Marianna Madia said the rise is "average" because it will be integrated at various pay grades with "greater attention and support to lower incomes" in order to "reduce the pay gap".