A wave of strikes the likes of which have not been seen for some time is on the way. In the crosshairs of all categories there is only one goal: the decree on liberalisations launched last Friday by the Monti government. The unrest begins today with a new taxi protest and will continue in the next few days, also involving trucks, railways, local public transport, petrol stations, pharmacies and lawyers. For its part, the Executive is going straight, with the Professor citing estimates by the OECD and Bank of Italy to underline how the new package could lead to "a 10% increase" in GDP. Let's see in detail the latest news on the different mobilizations:
TAXI
The national strike of taxi drivers is underway today, who crossed paths at 8 and will not resume service until 22. The drivers of the white cars are asking for a new meeting with the government to discuss the issue of licenses again. The epicenter of the protest remains the Circus Maximus, in Rome, where yet another demonstration will be held today.
TIR
The trucks stopped today at midnight and their protest will continue for five days. According to Trasportounito, territorial assemblies have been held since last night in various regions of the country and the number of companies that have decided to stop the services continues to grow. Inconvenience on many sections of the motorway network: two toll booths closed on the A1 in Lazio, blocks in Campania, Puglia and Lombardy. Problems also in Lombardy. The hauliers demonstrate against the lack of government measures on the regulation of the sector, for example on the applicability of minimum costs.
“Roadblocks will not be tolerated. We will use tolerance and dialogue as far as possible, but we must keep citizens' rights in mind”, said the Minister of the Interior, Annamaria Cancellieri, commenting on the strike of the trucks. "We are following the protests in the country very carefully and firmly", added Cancellieri, because "nothing rules out the possibility that these ailments could lead to demonstrations of a different type".
PHARMACISTS
Federfarma confirmed the lockout for February 10 "if Parliament does not change the text of the decree". Further strikes will be possible later. The government's reversal on class C drugs was evidently not enough. The union believes the increase in pharmacies planned by the government is excessive and says it is in favor of new openings equal to a maximum of XNUMX% of the total. The pharmacists also want to meet "parliamentary group leaders and government and regional representatives, so that the reasons of the category can be heard".
gas stations
The petrol stations confirm the strike, but have not yet established the dates. However, the stoppage in service stations cannot be for ten consecutive days as initially announced, but for a maximum of 72 hours, as the Guarantee Authority wants. However, the unions are divided on the methods of the lockout. The Figisc Confcommercio threatens 7 days of strike, but is ready to revoke them, while Faib and Fegica have for the moment confirmed their 10 days of unrest (divided into several packages of three consecutive days at most).
TRAINS, PLANES, SHIPS AND LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT
From 21 pm on January 26, a 24-hour general transport strike will begin. The mobilization was called by the Orsa trade union and by the Union of basic trade unions to protest against the cancellation of the obligation to apply the national sector agreement. Air, rail, naval connections and local public transport are at risk.
LAWYERS
The lawyers' strike will be divided into different periods, to reach a total duration of 7 days. It will start on February 23 and 24, and then continue with other dates in March. The government, according to the lawyers, would like to "reduce the constitutional function of the lawyer to a mere mercantile activity", compromising "the citizen's right to defence".
