Usigrai, the most powerful left-wing trade union organization which brings together 1,700 Rai journalists, risks ending up in court accused of having employed illegal workers. A paradox also because the alleged victim, an “illegal” collaborator, without a contract and contributions paid to social security institutions, had for a long period the task of following labor disputes and defending exploited colleagues and journalists. A big problem for Usigrai who is currently waging a war against the Meloni government, proclaiming a general strike for next May 6th against the centre-right’s interference in the information of the Italian public service. But it is not the only shadow that affects the union acronym with Pd sympathies. There is the issue of transparency on the use of funds that enter the union’s coffers thanks to membership fees. Usigrai financial statements are not visible to everyone and are not published on the site. Yet, the money managed is close to half a million euros every year. The registration fee varies from 300 euros per year (basic editor) to 500 for editors-in-chief. How is that money spent? The national secretary Daniele Macheda, interviewed by the Giornale, defends himself: «The reports are available to members who can view them, they are subject to approval by the Executive and are exposed in a report which is illustrated during each congress to all the delegates. The latest reports, by our choice, are currently being evaluated by the judiciary as part of preliminary investigations activated at our request with two complaints”.
But there is another story that Il Giornale is able to reconstruct, revealing the double standard of the red union. Angelo Giacobelli, former Rai journalist, was an administrative collaborator (also chief of staff) of Usigrai for a long time. He carried out various tasks, primarily dealing with labor disputes and assistance to colleagues who were victims of exploitation or illegal work. «Giacobelli, as confirmed by his lawyer Michele Licata, carried out the collaboration activity at Usigrai without having a regular contract and without ever having paid contributions to the social security institution». The black period would fall within a time span of 5 years (during the Trapani era). Now the prospect of a labor dispute against the union is looming: «We are evaluating the option of reporting Usigrai. But only when we have a clear picture of the other events” – the lawyer Licata explains to the newspaper.
On the case, the secretary Usigrai Macheda puts his hands forward: «When Giacobelli’s complaint arrives we will take note».
What other events does the lawyer Licata talk about? There is a third story involving the same protagonists: Usigrai and Giacobelli. The famous story of the missing funds. Giacobelli would be under investigation by the Rome Prosecutor’s Office, the crime is currently unknown, for the disappearance of 100 thousand euros from the union’s accounts. A strange story that the lawyer Licata tries to explain: «We are not afraid of anything, we have repeatedly asked the Prosecutor’s Office to be heard because we are convinced that we can give all the explanations of the case». It all starts from some articles leaked to the press in November 2023. 100 thousand euros apparently disappeared from the union’s coffers. Reconstructions that Giacobelli’s lawyer (the only suspect) rejects: “My client never dealt with the economic side within the union, he had no contact with the treasurer.” The only certainty at the moment seems to be the case of the “illegal” worker.
Right in the red union that fights abuse and censorship.
