Table of Contents
Italian Unions Mobilize Against Potential Job Cuts at US Military Bases
Concerns Over Downsizing Plans
Italian trade unions are mobilizing against possible job cuts for local staff at U.S. military bases as part of government downsizing plans. The NATO-member country hosts several military bases that employ more than 4,000 Italian civilian personnel, including cooks, waiters, shop clerks, engineers, architects, and mechanics.
Threat of Protests and Strikes
Uiltucs trade unionist Angelo Zaccaria has warned that if clear answers are not provided, protests and potential strikes may follow. Zaccaria, who represents staff at the Aviano air base in northeast Italy, noted that the site had already experienced job reductions before recent downsizing discussions, with 44 redundancies announced in September. After negotiations, this number was reduced to 30.
Hiring Freeze and Financial Restrictions
Italian staff at several U.S. bases have reportedly received emails requesting weekly accomplishment reports from federal workers. Additionally, employees have faced a month-long freeze on work credit cards starting from March 2, along with a hiring freeze preventing replacements for retiring colleagues.
Growing Worker Concerns
Workers are increasingly worried about the implications of these measures. Roberto Del Savio, a representative of the Fisascat-Cisl trade union at the Aviano base, has expressed concerns over the situation. He noted that while no official documents indicate a U.S. disengagement from the site, actions such as the hiring freeze and financial restrictions raise questions about future employment stability.
“Italian Unions Mobilize Against Potential Job Cuts at US Military Bases”