Italian investor group CAI is back on board for an Alitalia rescue plan. The change of heart came as the influential Italian union CGIL abandoned its objections to the plan, leaving only 4 of the 9 Alitalia unions left to sign the government-brokered deal. Labor Minister Maurizio Sacconi claims unanimous approval may not be needed for CAI to go through with the rescue, but stresses it would be important. 3,250 workers would be laid off as a result of the CAI takeover, but given the dire state of the airline and the difficulty finding a buyer (partly a result of labor dissent), the opposing unions may have no choice but to get on board too.
See "Alitalia rescue plan poised for takeoff", September 25, 2008