Newsstand - Alitalia unions balk at job cuts

Alitalia unions balk at job cuts

Airline wants to slash 5,000 positions; Italian government asked to intervene in restructuring

http://money.cnn.com/2004/09/07/news/international/alitalia.reut/

A joint statement by Alitalia's main unions said the 5,000 job cuts might be underestimated as they did not include workers on short-term contracts who could also go. Unions previously said they expected up to 7,000 job cuts.

(snip)
"The extraordinary number of job losses... makes the whole proposed framework unacceptable," the unions said. Alitalia employs 20,700 people.
(snip)

A small, radical union, CUB, called the rescue plan a "massacre" and threatened "very tough industrial action" including a hunger strike.

(snip)

But that loan will materialize only if the airline has agreed a viable restructuring plan.

Right on, unions! Why accept 7000 lost jobs when you can guarantee that all 20,700 will be unemployed?

Right on, unions! Why accept 7000 lost jobs when you can guarantee that all 20,700 will be unemployed?

But until they are, indeed, lost, those extra 7000 union dues will keep flowing! :rolleyes:

But until they are, indeed, lost, those extra 7000 union dues will keep flowing! :rolleyes:

:D

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Gov't Looks to Aid Alitalia Negotiations

The government is considering extending unemployment benefits to the airline sector to help negotiations between near-collapsed flagship carrier Alitalia and labor unions, a top official said Thursday.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Transport Undersecretary Mario Tassone insisted the government is doing its share to stave off bankruptcy at the company, which is 62 percent owned by the state.

"Alitalia needs to be saved, with an effort by all the parts involved," Tassone said in the interview. "The government has done and will continue doing his job..."

http://www.forbes.com/work/feeds/ap/2004/09/09/ap1536590.html

AD HOC OPTIONS WEIGHED TO AVOID FIRINGS

http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?doc=200409091848-1192-RT1-CRO-0-NF11&page=0&id=agionline-eng.oggitalia

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A Tale Of Two Hubs - The Root Of Alitalia's Woes?

Years of reliance on state bailouts and spiralling costs are two reasons Italy's Alitalia is in dire straits. But another major problem is the Italian carrier's failure to develop a real hub, analysts say.

With less than a week before next Wednesday's deadline to agree a restructure plan to save Alitalia from collapse, the airline's dual-hub problem has not been addressed.

Chief Executive Giancarlo Cimoli has said his rescue plan will split the airline into two separate entities, shed a quarter of the 20,000 workforce and inject fresh capital.

But he has said nothing publicly about hubs -- a political minefield for the flag carrier for more than a decade.

Whereas Air France is undoubtedly Paris-based, and Lufthansa's home is Frankfurt, Alitalia has a split personality, with hubs in both Milan and Rome...

http://news.airwise.com/stories/2004/09/1094809507.html

Unions scramble before Alitalia deadline

...Pilots appeared to advance toward an accord, fuelling market optimism that Alitalia could win a new lease on life...

http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtml?duid=mtfh4015 1_2004-09-13_10-40-52_l13123871_newsml

Alitalia Jump on Hopes for Union Pact

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=businessNews&storyID=6231492

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ALITALIA GAINS AFTER PILOTS' AGREEMENT (UP 10.20 PCT)

http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?doc=200409141317-1079-RT1-CRO-0-NF11&page=0&id=agionline-eng.oggitalia

...Alitalia said the deal marked a "further significant step toward the company's reorganization and relaunch."

After days of negotiations, Alitalia pilots agreed to fly about double their current 450 hours per year and to have a larger part of their salaries based on how much they work - an incentive to fly more.

Alitalia had planned 450 pilot layoffs as part of its overall job cuts, but the deal only includes 289. However, about 100 pilots would retire or be given early retirement...

http://www.forbes.com/business/services/feeds/ap/2004/09/15/ap1544959.html

Alitalia rescue talks drag, eyes on Monday meeting

http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtml?duid=mtfh3113 3_2004-09-17_23-03-05_l17456722_newsml

CNN just announced that Alitalia has reached an agreement with the cabin crew unions (the last holdouts) so the government loan can go ahead.

Hurray! :)

I think! ;)

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Crying foul at Alitalia

http://www.newsitaliapress.it/interna.asp?sez=240&info=98045

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EU Hopes to Rule on Alitalia Rescue Plan

http://www.forbes.com/infoimaging/feeds/ap/2004/09/28/ap1563106.html


-Mark