Assaereo summons unions (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, February 21 - Assaereo, the chapter of the industrial employers' group Confindustria that includes Alitalia, on Tuesday summoned unions to talks on the renewal of the national labour contract starting at 16:30 tomorrow. The decision was taken after this morning's meeting between Industry Minister Carlo Calenda and Alitalia CEO Cramer Ball, sources said. Unions have said they will go ahead with a strike on Thursday unless Alitalia management agrees to reduce jobs cuts in a restructuring plan for the loss-making airline, to be presented at the beginning of March. According to the Italian media, Alitalia will seek some 2,000 job cuts after losing some 500 million euros last year. The cost-cutting plan will reportedly seek 160 million euros a year in savings.