Rome, Oct. 3 (LaPresse) – “Today’s strike is illegal, not because Salvini opposes it, but because the Technical Guarantee Commission, a body of jurists and professionals, declared it illegitimate. A general strike must be announced 10 days in advance; this one was announced with just two days’ notice. Therefore, those striking today are violating the law and risk personal sanctions, both as individual strikers and as unions,” said Infrastructure and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini on ‘Mattino Cinque.’
“As the Lega, we propose revising the law on strikes to update timing and procedures, and also to impose heavy penalties on those who strike illegally. Today alone, one million Italians will be unable to take trains,” added Salvini. “Last night, monuments in Piazza Duomo were vandalized—who pays? Bologna station was damaged—who pays? There were clashes in Turin and Alessandria—who pays? I hope the proposal I am promoting, requiring organizers to post a bond to cover damages in case of illegal demonstrations, will be approved by Parliament, because Italians at home should not have to pay for the damage caused by a few criminals.”
“Sanctions must be proportional to the damage caused. If someone striking illegally today causes billions of euros in losses to Italy’s system, businesses, and workers, the penalty must match the damage. Who restores the workday for the one million Italians unable to take the train because of an illegal strike? Is Landini organizing it? Let Landini pay,” concluded Salvini.