Rebel unions threaten action over Alitalia contract terms

On Monday, four unions representing pilots and flight attendants at Alitalia vowed they would stage “all useful actions” in protest of contract terms in the plan to rescue the nearly-bankrupt airline.

A statement issued by the rebel unions was issued following a general assembly, during which they reaffirmed their rejection of the agreement signed on 31 October by four labour unions.

The unions asserted that they would stage “all useful actions leading to the cancellation of this agreement and a resumption of correct labour relations” between what they are calling the “real” representatives of Alitalia employees and CAI, the investor group that has put forth the rescue plan.

A fifth union, representing flight attendants, complained that debate had been stifled and left the meeting.

The head of the ANPAV union, Massimo Muccioli, decried the “veritable ambush set up by the partners and friends of the ‘no’ front,” according to a report in the ANSA news agency.

“ANPAV will, in the coming hours and days, decide with full autonomy which clarifications and changes might convince us to adhere to the plan,” he stressed.

If the resistance to the agreement by the rebel unions continues, the airline may rehire pilots and flight attendants individually, instead of by procedures agreed with each union, the reports in the press indicated.

Last week, CAI submitted its final offer, called the “Phoenix Plan” for the failing carrier, as the rebel unions objected and threatened labour actions.

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