The ABI, in a letter sent to the general secretaries, offers the unions up to twelve months more than the natural expiry of the contract, next December 31st, to renew it. The offer, promoted by the trade union committee of ABI led by Eliano Omar Lodesani (Intesa), was appreciated by the acronyms and confirms the excellent trade union climate in the sector. This did not happen at the time of the previous renewal.
The banks, under the guidance and advice of the chief denier, the 'hawk' Francesco Micheli (Intesa), unilaterally canceled the contract in September 2013, leading the category to a general strike a month later. The contract was then renewed in March 2015, after a long period of conflict, with a mini increase of 85 euros. Dealing with the renewal in the first months of 2019 is convenient for both banks and unions for a long series of reasons, not least the renewal of the Fisac CGIL secretariat in November.
The ABI has asked the unions for an answer by the next 20 June, the date of the Executive led by Antonio Patuelli. Meanwhile, the renewal of the offices in Abi in July could lead to a change at the helm of the Casl, with the paradox that Lodesani, who took over from Profumo in October 2015 after the signing of the current contract, could have to take a step back if Intesa wins as probable a Vice-presidency, to leave the leadership of the Casl, according to the unwritten 'Cencelli' of Palazzo Altieri, to another significant large bank.
The scenario of the banking market has changed radically compared to the previous renewal (among other things, the last tranche of the increase, from 30 euros, will start next October). In March 2015 there were over 30 branches and 309 bank branches while at the end of 2017 there were 27.300 branches (-5,7% compared to the previous year and approximately -20% compared to 2008) and bank branches numbered 286 but more exits will come. The current four-year contract expires at the same time as the agreement on trade union freedoms and in the past banks and unions have always preferred to keep the two negotiations separate.
This should also happen in this circumstance. An extension of the time to sit down at the negotiating table might not be a bad deal for the unions' economic claims, considering the recovery of profitability of the banks after the excellent first quarter of this year. With good 2018 financial statements on file, the economic requests, to restore the many sacrifices of recent years, could find more attentive interlocutors.
