Pietro Pallini, general coordinator of UIL Taranto
Yet another peaceful mobilization of workers from the Leonardo production site ended yesterday in Grottaglie. The date took on a special meaning, coinciding with the arrival of the delegations of the world’s powerful for the start of the G7 work in Borgo Egnazia. The protest was characterized by moments of tension, with workers and police coming face to face. The workers, armed only with their courage and their infinite dignity, reiterated that work is a right, not a privilege.
Repelled by the thick cordon of police forces, the demonstrators expressed their indignation at a situation that continues to appear far-fetched. Around the Leonardo Aerostructures site, an apparent calm hides an “empty job”, a dangerous condition if intertwined with Boeing’s single-commissioning in the manufacturing of the 787 fuselages.
After the June 7 meeting with Minister Cingolani, it became clear that Boeing is going through a period of difficulty, aggravated by the FAA investigations into the Boeing 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner. However, it is equally clear that the company in the aerostructures division continues to consolidate significant profits and revenues.
“With yesterday’s mobilization, as well as the company, we wanted to shake the consciences of institutions and politics on a clear assumption of responsibility to do everything necessary to ensure that the plant does not stop, but also and above all, to firmly counteract the There is a risk that another piece of our territory’s manufacturing will collapse due to the inaction of those who have the duty to plan the present and future of a community devastated in terms of employment, economics and rights more generally. We need to cure the cause and not the symptom it means planning and launching structural solutions that diversify current production activities. I define yesterday’s strike as a symbolic strike in which workers, in addition to painfully giving up an additional 4 hours of their pay, defended not only themselves but also the future of the company with dignity. a community and they did it with a great sense of responsibility because things could have gone differently,” said Pietro Pallini, general coordinator of the UIL of Taranto.
Yesterday’s protest, therefore, was more than a simple demonstration. It was a call to action, an appeal to institutions and politicians to take responsibility for guaranteeing a stable and prosperous future for the community of Grottaglie and its workers. At a time when the international spotlight is on the region for the G7, Leonardo workers have taken the opportunity to make their voices heard, hoping that their requests will find a hearing among the world’s powerful.
