A clash between the government and
CGIL and UIL trade unions over plans for a a nationwide strike,
affecting the transport sector in particular, on Friday
escalated on Tuesday after country's strike watchdog said it
should be rescheduled.
The authority said the stoppage, in protest at the government's
2024 budget bill, did not meet the requirements for a general
strike.
Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini has blasted
the planned strike and threatened to take action to limit it.
Both unions are pressing ahead nevertheless, although they
excluded the air-transport sector and limited to four hours a
strike by firefighters after the authority's intervention.
"As we told the (strike) commission, we find the interpretation
that it is not a general strike to be mistaken," CGIL leader
Maurizio Landini told Radio24, accusing the authority of being
"compliant" with the government's demands.
"It (the move) calls into question a right.
"We confirm the strike. As an act of responsibility we have
excluded air transport and taken to four hours, from 9 a.m. to 1
p.m, the fire brigade's strike".
He added that it would be "unpleasant" if Salvini banned or
further limited the protest, saying this would demonstrate the
"political will to call into question the right to strike".
UIL leader Pierpaolo Bombardieri said the decisions of the
authority were "guidelines" and said his union intends to use
the "right to strike" even though it could face penalties for
failing to respect its "indications"
"We are not willing to be intimidated by anyone," Bombardieri
concluded.
Salvini, however, reiterated that he will do all he can to
prevent the strike from causing disruption.
"I will do everything the law allows me to do to allow the right
of 60 million Italian people to move to work, to study, to
access health care," Salvini said.
"If (CGIL chief) Landini is offended, I feel sorry for him, but
I will keep going".
The transport ministry, meanwhile, has sent a letter to the
unions calling on them to review their position, after the
strike authority called on them to reschedule the protest.
In the letter the ministry said it hoped for "respect for the
rules and common sense".
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