The final two unions, SDL and AVIA, agreed to the Alitalia bailout deal with CAI (a group of wealthy Italian businessmen) Monday, ending a difficult round of labor talks, and officially avoiding liquidation. CAI plans to restart the airline in November as a smaller company, while they work on finding a partner. The workers, though they have now all agreed to the bailout, have no cause to rejoice ? approximately 1/3 of the workers will lose their jobs in the restructuring of the airline. Antonio Divietri, head of AVIA, said ?"We've signed the deal, but there's nothing to celebrate, [The workers have been left out] like a dog on the balcony.? EU regulators could still delay the deal if they decide that the airline has received an unfair advantage from the government that could potentially restrict competition.
See "Last 2 unions agree to deal to keep Alitalia alive", International Herald Tribune, September 28, 2008