Italian unions renew general strike struggle

Workers Press no. 195, 25 June 1970 · scan page 2

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ITALY'S three major trade unions call a general strike for July 7 in demands for social reforms, tax cuts The national trade union bodies CGIL (Communist and Socialist), CISL (Catholic) and UlL (Social Democratic) used the June 7 regional elections as an excuse to suspend the campaign on their demands, but are now forced by the membership to take up the fight again.

The unions are demanding extensive reforms of education, housing and health services, together with tax cuts on lower incomes and a price freeze on basic commodities.

Government opposition has stiffened since the regional elections, with right-wing Christian Democratic Ministers denouncing the union demands as 'economic lunacy'.

They have made the insulting offer to abolish tax on wages below f8 a week, where the unions are seeking tax exemption for all earnings less than about £18 a week.

Forced to join

The Social Democrats, most right-wing of the leaders, have been forced to join the strike move and drop their contention that the government should be given time to show 'good will'.

The June 7 strike call thus opens the way for a renewal of the unity and strength shown in the November 19 general strike last year when over 20 million workers throughout Italy took action for better housing in the biggest strike of post-war Europe.

It was their action which shook the Christian Democratic government of the day and forced it to negotiate a coalition.

Pressure

The leaders of the millionstrong Italian Communist Party see class actions for reforms as a means of pressure for a coalition of which the Communist Party is part. leaders are well aware, the have decided to support of their and price curbs.

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