Defend Rights, Demand Respect
- Metalworkers across Italy are taking action to demand fair negotiations and better working conditions.
- More than 1,000 metalworkers gathered in Modena's Largo Garibaldi yesterday to protest for improved safety, a higher minimum salary, and reduced working hours.
- the unions' request for renewal of the National Collective Labor Agreement (CCNL) was deemed unreasonable by Federmeccanica, particularly concerning the proposed increase in the minimum salary.
Italian Metalworkers Strike for Improved Conditions
Metalworkers across Italy are taking action to demand fair negotiations and better working conditions.
More than 1,000 metalworkers gathered in Modena’s Largo Garibaldi yesterday to protest for improved safety, a higher minimum salary, and reduced working hours. The nationwide strike was organized by unions Fim Cisl, Fiom cgil, and Uilm Uil after previous negotiations with employer associations Federmeccanica and Assistal failed to produce results. Union representatives reported a 95% participation rate in the strike.
the unions’ request for renewal of the National Collective Labor Agreement (CCNL) was deemed unreasonable by Federmeccanica, particularly concerning the proposed increase in the minimum salary.
Salvatore Oretchio, a worker at ITM of Fanano, stated the workers’ frustration:
We have not been allowed to build any comparison dialog, our requests are not taken into consideration, although they have been approved by over 90% of us workers… It is disconcerting for many workers to see how it is not possible to guarantee stability and security for young people.Even meritocracy and recognition of their skills seem to be absent.
Salvatore Oretchio, ITM of Fanano worker
Luca Infantino, an employee at Mr di Modena, emphasized the importance of workers’ rights:
They want to subtract the rights that we have painstakingly acquired over time, forgetting, though, that the workers play an essential role for the economy. The prices have increased, we deserve a salary that can support the new cost of living.
Luca Infantino, Mr di Modena worker
Carlos Calderin Martinez, a foreign worker, highlighted the precarious situation faced by many young people:
Companies and even earlier the government must put us young people in a position to be able to build something alone, with our hands, something that is the result of our work and that makes us autonomous. The institutions have moved too far from people.
Carlos Calderin Martinez, foreign worker
Stefania Ferrari, secretary of Fiom Cgil, commented on the unproductive negotiations:
A series of needless meetings followed after the expiry, last June, of the previous contract and, instead of discussing the advanced requests, a counterpatform was presented by the companies, wich do not listen but demand and remain indonctous.
Stefania Ferrari, secretary of Fiom Cgil
Roberta Castronuovo, secretary of Fim Cisl, stressed the importance of a unified national contract:
We care that the national contract is approved, we do not want to create diversifications between companies, but the only way to appease the protests remains this: dialogue and attention to the contract.
Roberta castronuovo, secretary of Fim Cisl
Alberto Zanetti, secretary of Uilm Uil, emphasized the need to invest in workers:
The engine of the economy are the workers, it is necessary to take care of them: investing in training and increasing controls for safety at work, increasing the minimum wages and guaranteeing adequate working hours.
Alberto Zanetti, secretary of Uilm Uil
Giovanni Paglia, a regional councilor, also commented on the renewal of employment contracts:
The central axis of a recovery strategy of purchasing power by the Italian female workers and workers, of which our country has an essential need. The data that also emerged in these days have shown how arrears real wages are in recent years and how much this impacts on the development capacity of the economic system, and also on the holding of social cohesion.
Giovanni Paglia, regional councilor
Italian Metalworkers Strike: Demands and Impact
Metalworkers across Italy are taking action to demand fair negotiations and better working conditions.
why Are Italian Metalworkers Striking?
Italian metalworkers initiated a nationwide strike on March 27,2025,to address several key concerns and push for improved working conditions. Protests took place in Modena’s Largo Garibaldi and other locations across Italy, with over 1,000 metalworkers participating.
- Improved Safety Standards: Workers are demanding enhanced safety measures in the workplace.
- Higher Minimum Salary: A key demand is an increase in the minimum salary to reflect the rising cost of living.
- Reduced Working Hours: The unions are advocating for a reduction in working hours to improve work-life balance.
What Are the Unions’ Specific Demands?
The strike was organized by major Italian metalworker unions,including Fim cisl,Fiom Cgil,and Uilm Uil. These unions are united in their efforts to negotiate a new national Collective Labor Agreement (CCNL).Key demands include:
- Renewal of the national collective Labor Agreement (CCNL).
- Increased minimum wage to counter the rise in living costs.
- Improved job security for young workers.
- Investment in worker training and safety.
Despite the clear demands, negotiations with employer associations Federmeccanica and Assistal stalled, leading to the strike. The unions reported a 95% participation rate in the strike, underscoring the widespread dissatisfaction among workers.
What are the workers’ frustrations?
Workers expressed their frustrations regarding the negotiations, with many feeling unheard and undervalued.
Salvatore Oretchio, a worker at ITM of Fanano, stated the workers’ frustration:
We have not been allowed to build any comparison dialog, our requests are not taken into consideration, although thay have been approved by over 90% of us workers… It is indeed disconcerting for many workers to see how it is not possible to guarantee stability and security for young peopel.Even meritocracy and recognition of their skills seem to be absent.Salvatore Oretchio, ITM of Fanano worker
What is the Importance of a Unified National contract?
The unions stress the importance of a unified national contract to avoid disparities between companies.
Roberta Castronuovo, secretary of Fim Cisl, stressed the importance of a unified national contract:
We care that the national contract is approved, we do not want to create diversifications between companies, but the only way to appease the protests remains this: dialogue and attention to the contract.Roberta castronuovo, secretary of Fim Cisl
what do the involved parties say?
Various stakeholders have voiced their perspectives:
- workers: Expressed that their requests are not taken into consideration.
- Unions: Seek fair salary increases, reduced working hours, and safer working conditions.
- Employers: federmeccanica deemed the union’s requests for a minimum salary increase as unreasonable.
several key figures made statements:
- Stefania Ferrari, secretary of Fiom Cgil, commented on the unproductive negotiations:
- Alberto Zanetti,secretary of Uilm Uil,emphasized the need to invest in workers:
- Giovanni Paglia,a regional councilor,also commented on the renewal of employment contracts:
A series of needless meetings followed after the expiry, last June, of the previous contract and, rather of discussing the advanced requests, a counterpatform was presented by the companies, wich do not listen but demand and remain indonctous.Stefania Ferrari,secretary of Fiom Cgil
The engine of the economy are the workers,it is indeed necessary to take care of them: investing in training and increasing controls for safety at work,increasing the minimum wages and guaranteeing adequate working hours.Alberto Zanetti,secretary of Uilm Uil
The central axis of a recovery strategy of purchasing power by the Italian female workers and workers,of which our country has an essential need. The data that also emerged in these days have shown how arrears real wages are in recent years and how much this impacts on the development capacity of the economic system, and also on the holding of social cohesion.Giovanni Paglia, regional councilor
Summary of Key Demands
The following table summarizes the key demands of the Italian metalworkers:
| Demand | Description |
|---|---|
| Improved safety | Implementation of stricter safety measures in the workplace. |
| Higher Minimum Salary | increase in the minimum wage to address the rising cost of living. |
| Reduced Working Hours | Reduction of working hours to improve work-life balance. |