Abruzzo Environmental Workers Strike for Fair Contract and Improved Conditions
Environmental hygiene workers in Abruzzo will participate in a national strike on Friday, October 17th, protesting for better wages, improved safety measures, and a renewed national contract. The protest will center around the Government Palace in Pescara, with workers represented by FP Cgil, Fit Cisl, Uiltrasporti, and Fiadel.
The strike stems from stalled negotiations with employer representatives – Utilitalia, Cisambiente-confindustria, Assoambiente, and the Centrali Cooperative – who unions say have demonstrated a “total closure and lack of will” to renew the single collective bargaining agreement for environmental services. Unions emphasize the renewal is “essential” to enhance health and safety protections, address wage erosion due to inflation, and reinforce workers’ right to strike.
According to FP-Cgil Pescara secretary Massimo Di giovanni, workers have experienced a 16% decrease in purchasing power, and a key objective of the new contract is to recover this lost ground. the unions are also seeking clarity on worker classification, an issue not addressed in the previous contract (2022-2024).
Specific concerns in the Pescara region include the physical strain on waste collection operators, who handle 600-800 bins nightly, a task increasingly challenging for workers over 55. this highlights the need for attention to worker turnover.
While the potential for privatization in Pescara appears to have been mitigated by Mayor Carlo Masci’s stance and the health of the local “Ambiente” company, the issue remains a concern in other areas of Abruzzo.Unions insist on being involved in any potential privatization process to ensure service quality and worker protections. Thay continue to advocate for public solutions.
Further demands include improved conditions for procurement workers and plant workers’ contractual articles.
The Abruzzo regional protest will convene in front of the Pescara prefecture at 12:00 PM on October 17th and is expected to continue until at least 1:00 PM. This action is part of a nationwide presentation by environmental hygiene workers seeking a fair and comprehensive contract.