The comparison on renewal of the banking contract from Abi and trade unions remain very tight, so much so that in yesterday's meeting the break came close again. The themes are many but the time left is very little. By now there is practically a month left until March 31st, the day on which Abi will disapply the old contract in the event of no agreement with the sindacati on the renewal making the sector, in the words of the secretary Fabi Lando Maria Sileoni, "like a jungle".
But let's go in order. Yesterday the bank unions and representatives of the credit association did not start the meeting at the right pace. In fact, the great gap on the economic side between what Abi proposes and the requests of the unions has clearly manifested itself. Apparently the delegation led by Alessandro Profumo has received a proposal increase which would include the seniority increases and the severance indemnities in the calculation of the inflation recovery. Accounts in hand for workers would mean bringing home a three-year increase in regime 30 euros gross. A figure that is too far from the proposals put forward by the unions.
To avoid a new rupture, the unions have decided to temporarily put aside the economic question and to discuss with Abi on the other issues relating to the renewal: thecontractual area and the "societal soul" that any new contract must have. Particular attention is paid to young people, to new occupations and to entry salary. There are distances on these points as well but they seem far from unbridgeable. Today, a new permanent employee receives a salary for the first 4 years salary reduced by 18% compared to the current salary. The unions have asked to reduce the gap from 18% to 8%. From Abi there is a willingness to improve the entry salary of newly hired bankers and it has been proposed to drop it to a percentage between 10-12%. In short, on this point the solution is close.
The other two topics addressed in yesterday's meeting were the employment fund and JobsAct. On the first point, the unions underlined the importance of confirming the Fund for new employment, also as regards the contribution to 4% of top managers, and asked to increase its power of intervention. In relation to Jobs Act the trade union organizations have expressed some concerns and have asked for guarantees so that, in the event of dismissals and re-hirings, the employees subject to transfer maintain the old contract and are not hired with the one with increasing protection. Both issues will be the subject of discussion in the next meetings between the two sides.
It will be an absolutely hot and busy March to avoid breakup. Next appointment on March 5 in which Abi and the unions will meet to discuss the frameworks. On 10 March the theme of the meeting will be that of the contractual area and the Jobs Act will also be discussed. To be circled in red on the calendar on 12 March. On this day Abi and the unions will once again address the issue of the economic part, i.e. increases in seniority, recovery of inflation and severance pay. Finally, two more meetings are scheduled for 23 and 24 March.
