Alitalia CEO promises 'no layoffs'
There will be no layoffs as part of the revised industrial plan for Italy's heavily indebted flagship carrier, Alitalia, the company's CEO said on Tuesday.
Gabriele Del Torchio told unions that “nobody will be fired” as the airline seeks to cut €128 million from its labour costs, La Repubblica reported.
He said the savings will instead be made by cutting certain benefits and through a “solidarity contribution” from those earning more than €40,000 a year.
The unions, however, are not convinced.
“The company must be willing to see us again regarding proposals to change the unions,” Claudio Tarlazzi, the secretary-general of the UIL transport union, told La Repubblica.
“The workers are the prime shareholders - they should be able to intervene and monitor the management of the company.”
In early December, Alitalia said a capital increase aimed at raising up to €300 million had attracted €173 million from shareholders at that point.
The Italian government has said the state postal service has undertaken to contribute €75 million and has denied that this constitutes state aid
The contribution is expected to help keep the airline flying over Christmas and as it seeks a foreign partner to help return it to profit.
However, analysts have warned that it may be forced to ground its fleet within six months unless a partner is found.
Alitalia has so far failed to convince its main shareholder Air France-KLM, which holds a 25 percent stake, to take part in the rescue.
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Gabriele Del Torchio told unions that “nobody will be fired” as the airline seeks to cut €128 million from its labour costs, La Repubblica reported.
He said the savings will instead be made by cutting certain benefits and through a “solidarity contribution” from those earning more than €40,000 a year.
The unions, however, are not convinced.
“The company must be willing to see us again regarding proposals to change the unions,” Claudio Tarlazzi, the secretary-general of the UIL transport union, told La Repubblica.
“The workers are the prime shareholders - they should be able to intervene and monitor the management of the company.”
In early December, Alitalia said a capital increase aimed at raising up to €300 million had attracted €173 million from shareholders at that point.
The Italian government has said the state postal service has undertaken to contribute €75 million and has denied that this constitutes state aid
The contribution is expected to help keep the airline flying over Christmas and as it seeks a foreign partner to help return it to profit.
However, analysts have warned that it may be forced to ground its fleet within six months unless a partner is found.
Alitalia has so far failed to convince its main shareholder Air France-KLM, which holds a 25 percent stake, to take part in the rescue.
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