Catherwood LibraryILR School

Over 13 million Italian workers followed through on a general strike promised by the country's three largest trade unions, staying out from work yesterday and shutting down major factories and transportation throughout Italy. 2 million of the striking workers took to the streets, marching and demonstrating against President Berlusconi's proposed loosening of job security laws in what was Italy's first full-day national strike in twenty years. Both sides remain publicly adamant in their positions---with the unions arguing that the legislation is the first step towards eliminating Italy's long-standing just-cause dismissal laws, and Mr. Berlusconi insisting that the change is needed to stimulate the economy---impending municipal election may mean that a deal is in the offing.