CGIL union protesters on December 12th: "Unfair budget, stagnant wages."

The CGIL delegates' assembly has raised barricades against the government's economic plan, calling a general strike for December 12th. The announcement came yesterday from Florence, during an event organized by the union led by Maurizio Landini, with remarks by the president of the general assembly, Fulvio Fammoni.

The protest over frozen wages

"We believe this is an unfair, wrong move, and we want to change it," Landini stated bluntly on the sidelines of the meeting. The CGIL secretary pointed to what he called the country's central problem: "The fundamental emergency right now is wages. We need to raise wages, and this move doesn't do that."

The union's demands are clear: additional resources for a serious renewal of public sector contracts, "not a handout," and tax relief for all workers, both public and private, with no income caps. Landini also called for the reinstatement of fiscal drag: "Workers, employees, and retirees have paid €25 billion in additional taxes over the past three years simply because, faced with rising prices and inflation, tax deductions and tax brackets were not automatically reassessed."

Healthcare and education in the crosshairs

The CGIL leader was unsparing in his criticism of the public healthcare system: "We are faced with 6 million people who cannot obtain treatment, endless waiting lists, and a dire situation for healthcare workers, with nurses and doctors forced to work extremely long shifts." Also on the table was a request for greater investment in schools, education, and social services, starting with the law on long-term care.

The proposal: a 1% tax on the richest

To finance these demands, Landini has launched a provocative proposal: a 1% solidarity tax on assets exceeding €2 million. "We're talking about 500 wealthy people," he explained from the Florence Palasport stadium. "A 1% tax contribution from them would be enough to free up €26 billion to invest in healthcare, hiring, education, and raising salaries for everyone."

December 12th promises to be a test for the government and the unions, who will be called upon to demonstrate their ability to mobilize at a time of growing social tension.