25 days from the deadline for reaching an agreement on the renewal of the bank contract the two protagonists of the negotiation (ABI and banking unions) continue in a confrontation. In the meeting that was held yesterday at Palazzo Altieri, the two sides also remained distant on the question of classifications, one of the five main topics of discussion.
The trade union and labor affairs committee of Abi, chaired by Alessandro Profumo, presented to the trade unions a proposal to reform the system of classifications which would lead to a reduction of the classes from the current 13 to 6.
The scheme presented by Abi which would represent one of the poles of the new bank contract provides for the conservation of three macro-areas: a managerial one with two levels, an executive one, and an operational one with three levels. This redefinition of classifications is considered unacceptable by the unions because it also has a significant impact on wages. Just think of the merged levels which, in Abi's proposal, will have to accept the salary of the lowest level as good.
La negotiation on the national banking agreement it has also stalled on this point but it must be specified that the difficulties in the confrontation between the ABI and the banking unions are upstream. The blanket is short, too short. Banks absolutely need to recover profitability after being taken by surprise by the novelties of recent years (just think of the revolution brought about by home banking), bank unionists are not inclined to give up some of the rights they have obtained until today. But it is necessary to find a synthesis. If indeed the two sides intend to find a solution and arrive at bank contract 2015. Alessandro Profumo reiterated this very clearly yesterday, explaining that the more insistent the positions of the banking unions on labor costs will be and "the less we will be able to protect employment levels". A few words to good connoisseurs.
Next meeting between ABI and trade unions on the issue of renewal of the bank contract Tuesday 10 March when the two parties will discuss the issue relating to the contractual area at Palazzo Altieri.
