Italy’s government, unions clash over planned national strike on Friday

By Giovanni Legorano

ROME (AA) – Italy’s government and trade union leaders have been trading barbs on Tuesday over a planned strike against Rome’s 2024 budget planned for later this week, with ministers threatening to impose limitations about the stoppage.

Two of Italy’s largest unions, CGIL and UIL, called a strike in many sectors, including public transport, and of duration ranging between eight to 24 for hours for Friday, ignoring calls by the Italian strike watchdog to limit it only to part of the day to avoid major disruptions.

Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, who has clashed with the unions many times in the past about the duration of strikes, said he was ready to impose limits on the length of the strike, criticizing the unions for “holding country hostage” for the entire day.

Salvini’s comments came after his party, the League, said in a statement on Monday that it will not allow citizens to be blocked and damaged because of the “whims of some unionists who want to enjoy a long weekend.”

Unions are criticizing Rome’s 2024 budget, saying it fails to address the country’s main challenges and does not plan enough investments in crucial sectors such as health care and education.

“We confirm the strike,” said CGIL Secretary General Maurizio Landini on Tuesday. “We would find it unpleasant if the minister thought of making impositions. I would reflect a political will to put in doubt the right to go on strike to defend one’s rights.”

The unions said they have already asked air transport workers not to strike and limited the duration of the stoppage of firefighters to four hours as “a gesture of responsibility.”