Italy: the separate agreement on the reform of the collective bargaining procedure might lead to a further outbreak of conflicts

“A reform in negotiating procedure has never been supported without prior approval of one of the key social partners”, declared Guglielmo Epifani, CGIL leader, proposing to submit to a referendum of workers the framework agreement on the negotiating model signed on January 22 by CISL, UIL, UGL, the government and most of the employers’ associations ( see our dispatch No 090080). Since this agreement modifies the system of union relations concerning all organizations, it is up to the workers to decide by vote the democratic validity of the agreement, emphasized Guglielmo Epifani. However, Rafaele Bonanni, CISL leader, rejected this proposal, asserting that “the referendum makes sense and has a political value when it concerns unitary agreements”, while the UIL leader also refused a new procedure on the ground that the CGIL cannot request consultation of its affiliates on an agreement which it has not signed. Confronted with this breach in union unity, the CGIL has anticipated the meeting with management on January 29 and 30 in order to decide the strategy to adopt, with strikes and meetings for a nationwide demonstration scheduled on April 4. 
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asized Guglielmo Epifani. However, Rafaele Bonanni, CISL leader, rejected this proposal, asserting that “the referendum makes sense and has a political value when it concerns unitary agreements”, while the UIL leader also refused a new procedure on the ground that the CGIL cannot request consultation of its affiliates on an agreement which it has not signed. Confronted with this breach in union unity, the CGIL has anticipated the meeting with management on January 29 and 30 in order to decide t

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