The Faib, Fegica and Figisc-Anisa
associations representing Italy's gas-station operators said
Thursday that a two-day strike of their members planned for
January 25 and 26 was set to go ahead after talks with the
government failed to reach a deal to avert it.
"I am deeply disappointed," Figisc Confcommercio President Bruno
Bearzi told a news conference after talks with Business and Made
in Italy Minister Adolfo Urso.
"We expected much more to halt the strike".
The associations had announced the strike to protest at being
hit with a "wave of mud" over high prices after the government
ended a reduction in fuel duties at the turn of the year.
They are unhappy about a decree passed by Premier Giorgia
Meloni's cabinet to boost the transparency of fuel prices to
stop speculative hikes.
This includes an obligation for gas stations to give the
national average price for petrol and diesel alongside their own
prices, with fines for those that do not comply.
"An effort was made to reduce the fines but the obligation to
show the average prices remains," said Bearzi.
"The message is that we are a category that must be kept under
control because we take advantage (of price fluctuations)".
The associations had put the strike on hold, pending the outcome
of talks with the government.
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