The air transport strikes of February 16 (concerning ITA Airways, EasyJet, and Vueling) and March 7 (ENAV in Rome) have been confirmed . This has rekindled the conflict with Minister Matteo Salvini, who has accused worker representatives of being "anti-Italian" and responded "forcefully" with requisitions.

Despite the Guarantor's call, reinforced by the Minister of Transport's request, to reschedule the protests to dates that do not overlap with the Milan-Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, the unions chose to hold firm. Nothing, therefore, came of today's meeting at the Ministry of Transport. Yesterday, however, Filt Cgil, Fit Cisl, Uiltrasporti, Ugl Ta, Anpac, and Anp had already written their "no" to the postponement in a letter to the Ministry of Transport and the Guarantor Commission.

"The strike actions were called in support of the disputes over the renewal of the national collective bargaining agreement (CCNL) and company-level labor agreements that expired many months ago , and in the face of fruitless negotiations with companies that were deaf to legitimate demands," all the sector unions wrote in a letter to the Ministry of Transport and the Companies Guarantee Commission. According to the unions, no evidence was provided of a willingness to renew the contracts " under adequate conditions ," making it effectively impossible to cancel or postpone the legitimately called industrial action," they explain.

Salvini's reaction was immediate: "The unions that ignore the Guarantor's requests and the Ministry's mediation proposals are proving irresponsible and anti-Italian." For the minister, "the thought of blocking air traffic" during the Milan-Cortina race is "absurd," "an affront not only to citizens but also to Olympic and Paralympic athletes ."

Consumers are also critical of the unions' decision. "The workers' demands are sacrosanct and must be fully supported," but the strikes "will cause enormous harm to those who, due to the closure, will be unable to reach destinations related to the Olympic Games," says Codacons.

(Unioneonline/vl)

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