Italian premier urges Alitalia workers to OK compromise deal

Premier Paolo Gentiloni urged Alitalia workers on Friday to approve a compromise deal to relaunch Italy’s struggling flagship airline that was reached in lastditch, government-mediated negotiations between unions and Alitalia management.

The deal reached early Friday reduces proposed job and salary cuts and calls for greater investment in the long-range routes that analysts say are critical for Alitalia’s survival. It’s to be put to a referendum of Alitalia workers next week.

At a news conference Friday, Gentiloni said the negotiations were difficult but that it was in the government’s interest to push through a deal.

“I hope it’s confirmed by the workers,” he said. “Alitalia is a private company but the government hasn’t spared any effort to find an agreed-upon turnaround plan.”

Alitalia was taken over nearly three years ago by Etihad Airlines, which infused cash and a new business plan into an airline that was losing a reported 2 million euros a day. Alitalia had been run by an all-Italian consortium led by banks Unicredit and Intesa Sanpaolo, which still retains a 51 percent stake although Etihad runs the airline.

In March, Alitalia’s board approved an initial business plan that foresaw layoffs of more than 2,000 ground personnel and salary cuts of flight personnel by 25 to 35 percent. The 1 billion euros ($1.07 billion) in cost-cutting measures over three years had been aimed at helping the airline better compete with low-cost carriers that have captured nearly half of the Italian market. (AP)