FIAT factory blockaded

The FIAT factory at Pomigliano (NA) in Southern Italy has been blockaded since Thursday April 10th.

The mobilisation was organised by a workers committee, constituted independently from union membership. 99% of workers adhered to the strike, which was loosened on Monday 14th April when workers decided to only block gates for goods in an attempt to force the factory to a halt.

Alitalia workers clash with police over job cuts

Italian riot police and several hundred Alitalia Airline maintenance employees have clashed in Rome as workers protested job losses threatened by the Airline's pending sale to Air France-KLM.

No serious injuries were reported in the scuffles on Tuesday that took place as Alitalia negotiators met with unions to seek backing for the takeover. The deal, announced Sunday, requires the approval of parliament and all nine airline labor unions.

1962-1973: Worker and student struggles in Italy

A history of the wave of strikes and occupations that gripped Italian factories and universities during the 1960s. Coming to a head with the Hot Autumn of 1969, independent forms of struggle used by workers represented a significant attempt to break from restrictive trade unions.

Rising from a period of centre-left coalition that had been marked by a constant failure to bring promised reforms to Italian society, the struggles of the 1960s acted as a pressure gauge for many sections of the Italian working class, one which was to reach its climax during the mass strikes of 1968-1970.

Italy 1977-8 - 'Living with an Earthquake' - Red Notes

Documents, personal accounts and analysis - from a time when a very high level of class struggle dominated Italian society. Despite their differences - the state, church, fascists, Communist Party and unions were all united in opposition to the the radical social movement.

Link to PDF of pamphlet.

Published by Red Notes, London, UK, late 1970s

Dock unions urge for strike after workplace deaths near Venice

Three of Italy's main unions called for a nationwide ports strike to start on Friday after two workers died overnight in a port near Venice.

The call for a strike which could paralyse the country comes as Italy debates workplace safety following a fire last month at a ThyssenKrupp steel plant in Turin which killed seven workers.

Labor federations CGIL, CISL and UIL said in a statement they "strongly protest following incidents which reached unbearable levels in 2007 and, unfortunately, continue".

Anarchist communists and the Italian base union movement

Article about the Italian base union movement written by anarchist communist group FdCA member Donato Romito.

"The unions were born, historically speaking, in the workplace as a result of precise material needs of the working masses who made up its membership and under whose control they operated."
- Anarchist Communists and the Mass Organization (UCAT, 1984)

Cattivi Maestri: Some Reflections on the Legacy of Guido Bianchini, Luciano Ferrari Bravo and Primo Moroni - Steve Wright

Steve Wright's analysis of the ideas of three Marxists who, along with Antonio Negri, were accused of being the "evil masters" of red terrorism in 1960s and 1970s Italy.

Cattivi Maestri: Reflections on the Legacy of Guido Bianchini, Luciano Ferrari Bravo and Primo

Steve Wright

You were like one who, traveling by night,

Carries the torch behind - no help to him -

But he makes those who follow him the wiser.(1)

Italy: truck drivers strike over conditions

An estimated 90% of Italian truckers have taken to the streets in protest at rising fuel prices and deregulation of the market.

There have been three major types of protests: filtered barrages on motorways; blockades of motorways and rolling barrages. The strike action is planned to last five days and is likely to seriously affect the 70% of Italian freight that is moved by road. According to La Stampa the strike will cost up to €5bn although the FAI union estimate is €2bn.

Transport strikes across Italy

Italy's biggest transport strike in 25 years forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights, idled trains, anchored ships, and stalled buses across the country on Friday.

Aero-news.net reported that Italian carrier Alitalia canceled 217 domestic and international flights before a four-hour walkout by pilots, flight crew and ground staff beginning at 11 am. Air One, Italy's number two carrier, only guaranteed nine flights there.

Italy: Lightning taxi blockade in Rome

Cab drivers caused gridlock in central Rome on Wednesday in a dispute over liberalisation and rates.

Hundreds of white cabs blocked traffic at Rom'es central Piazza Venezia while drivers protested in front of the nearby City Hall. The strike was called by the taxi drivers' union after it abandoned talks with the mayor.

Cab drivers have staged several strikes in recent months in opposition to government plans to liberalize the service and grant more licenses, and for rates increases.

Italy