Caserta is preparing for a new workers' strike, scheduled for January 13. The mobilization, organized by the trade unions Fim, Fiom and Uilm, will start at 9:00 with a rally at the city's train station, and then continue in a procession to the headquarters of Confindustria, where a picket is planned.
The protest aims to denounce the progressive industrial decline that is affecting the territory, with serious repercussions on the social and economic level. The trade unions underline how, after the general strike of 13 June 2024, neither the Government nor the Campania region have followed up on the request to set up a permanent table to address the province's industrial emergencies. For workers' representatives, a public intervention plan is essential, accompanied by regulatory tools and extraordinary investments, to protect companies in the area and promote new projects in line with the ecological and technological transition.
The demonstration will also be an opportunity to reiterate the reasons for the contractual blockage that concerns workers in the metalworking sector. After six months of negotiations, the discussion between the unions and Federmeccanica and Assistal was interrupted due to the counter-proposal put forward by the employers' associations, which was deemed unacceptable. The request for a salary increase of 280 euros for the C3 level was rejected, while the proposed increases are linked exclusively to inflation. The update of the safeguard clause was also postponed by six months, leaving the issues relating to increases in the contractual minimums unresolved.
The unions also denounce the lack of changes to the clauses for absorbing contractual increases and the lack of adequate solutions for workers employed in companies without company-level bargaining. No progress has been made on regulating smart working and reducing working hours. Added to this is the refusal to recognize specific permits to reconcile life and care times for children and parents. Finally, the unions contest the imposition of collective use of unused individual permits and the lack of regulation of precarious contracts through the National Contract.
Article published on 2 January 2025 - 10:58
The strike scheduled for January 13 seems really important for the workers of Caserta. It is essential that the institutions listen to the unions' demands and seriously address the critical industrial situation.
I think the protest is necessary, but I hope there are also concrete solutions and not just words. The economic situation is difficult and we must act as soon as possible to avoid losing more jobs.
It is incredible to see how the government ignores the problems of workers. They should take responsibility for finding an intervention plan, otherwise we risk finding ourselves in an even deeper crisis.