Italy: Public employees on strike on December 9

Public employees are ready to take to the streets, the confederal unions have in fact proclaimed a national strike for Wednesday 9 December when essential services will still be guaranteed. And to think that according to a large part of public opinion, state employees are among the categories of workers who have suffered the least from the consequences of the pandemic for most of them there has been recourse to smart working for months without forgetting that for these salaries as it should be have always been guaranteed (while for many workers in the private sector there has been the specter of layoffs).

For this reason, the decision of the trade unions to proclaim in this particular historical period a strike by the workers of the Public Administration is causing considerable controversy. Even the Minister of Public Administration, Fabiana Dadone said she was surprised according to whom the strike is an instrument that should be more respected.

But it is the reason for the strike that is surprising. Obviously, these are only points of view: the unions in fact, believe that public employees have every right to strike due to the little interest shown by the Government in them and it is for this reason that on Wednesday 9 December they decided to proclaim a full day off from work.

The decision of the trade unions to proclaim a strike by public employees in this particular historical period, in light of the difficulties including economic ones that many families are experiencing did not please the Minister of Public Administration.

The minister said, I have already said that I am quite astonished at the fact that the unions complain of a lack of resources and are even ready to declare a strike.

Thus Minister Fabiana Dadone commented on the news of the state strike also pulling a dig at the unions reminding them that the strike is an instrument that must be boasted as the right in the face of necessities, of a cry of a category in front of to a situation that is complicated and heartbreaking in the face of a building and a deaf government. A situation, however, far from the one that according to Dadone we are living in this moment where despite the difficulties, the Executive has always been ready to discuss with the unions and to listen to the demands of public employees.

In the 2021 Budget Law there is no increase in resources for the renewal of the public employment contract so much requested by the unions. According to the social partners, the resources currently available are insufficient to be able to proceed with the renewal of the contracts which have now expired since 1 January 2019 (the next will be the last year to reach an agreement).

On the other hand compared to the figures there is a dispute that has been going on for months now. The Government, in fact believes that the budget available for the renewal of the contract is more than sufficient, so as to guarantee a three figure salary increase (we are talking about approximately 112 euros on average and gross ).

The unions, however, are asking for more, aware that the resources available will also be used for other items, such as for the confirmation of the equalization element , and that consequently - also considering the taxation on salaries - increases of approximately 30 euros net per month .

A figure that for the social partners is absolutely insufficient to recognize public employees the economic value they deserve, especially in light of the freeze on salaries that preceded the renewal of the last contract.

It must be said, however, that the historical moment is what it is and we must take note of the fact that the public coffers are empty: to date there are other priorities and without the resources of the Recovery Fund we will not be able to start that long-awaited recovery process.

Despite this, however, the unions believe there are the means to strike , regardless of the controversy that will inevitably arise among those who, in recent months, have suffered greater difficulties due to Covid.

As explained by the general secretaries of FP Cgil , CISL Fp , UIL Fpl and UIL Pa, Serena Sorrentino, Maurizio Petriccioli, Michelangelo Librandi and Nicola Turco in the latest draft of the 2021 Budget Law there are no reasons that make the mobilization and then we will go ahead with the proclamation of the strike. The abstention from work will be for the whole day of Wednesday 9 December with the guarantee of the minimum essential services provided.