Protest by local public transport drivers: CSC employees occupy the Municipal Council room
Led by the Faisa Cisal union delegate, Renzo Coppini, the employees of the company that manages local transport in Latina occupied the municipal council room, waiting for the Celentano administration to express its opinion on the establishment of a municipal council to ratify the regional financing from approximately 1.8 million euros.
The drivers’ complaints are, in fact, attributable to the millionaire contribution provided by the Region with which to organize the local public transport service.
Another union, that of the Ugl, had proclaimed a strike for May 17th, precisely because of this dispute opened with the Municipality of Latina. As the provincial secretary Giuliano Errico explains: “Despite the favorable opinion of the lawyers and the probable resolution of the Municipality, which will take place in the next few days, regarding the additional funds allocated by the Lazio Region relating to the kilometer contribution, nothing has moved. We have simply received the company’s willingness to commit to finding economic and labor solutions but nothing more, and honestly – continue the trade union representatives of UGL “autoferro” – we cannot rely only on verbal commitments as in recent years too many have been the agreements signed and not respected. If we don’t have concrete facts before us on May 17th we will strike.”
Now, however, as reported today by Renzo Coppini of Faisa Cisal, the administration claims that that resolution will only be disposed of after ratification by the still unscheduled city council. Which is why the occupation of the council room began today.
“The regional contribution has been paid. The municipality’s transport system had to be reorganized. We have four or five minutes signed, even before the prefect of Latina, in which the administration makes a commitment to resolve this problem. The solution – explains Coppini – is to provide this contribution to the CSC company which in turn could have reorganized shifts, journeys and meal vouchers for employees. But they promise this thing every year and nothing ever happens. We have already postponed a strike because there was a new commitment to finding a solution. Workers have not received food stamps since January, but this allowance represents only part of the economic coverage. In fact, the performance bonus has never been paid, i.e. the Municipality does not provide the funds to the CSC”.
“Today we thought we would meet the mayor and that the Municipality could give us a certain date. But they say there is a change in the budget and it is necessary to convene the city council. Instead, the councilors took more time: time to review the resolution, time to analyze the case with the auditors. Until the mayor comes to tell us when the city council will be convened, we won’t leave this room. The consequence for citizens is that stressed drivers, not having that part of their pay, are unable to work calmly and driving is a risk. They have to drive faster to meet the timetable. The funds must be disbursed, not yet another promise with checks with auditors, councilors etc.”.
