News online
Strike over safety at DHL in Italy wins management pledge to negotiate
17 October 2007
Managers at DHL’s air cargo fleet operations in Italy have promised to enter into talks with unions over safety after their hand was forced by strike action.
Workers at DHL’s Bergamo hub went on strike on 10 October prompted by managers’ refusals to discuss safety concerns following an accident that seriously injured a worker; he was crushed by a 2000 kilogramme pallet that fell from a fork lift truck.
The ITF-affiliated Italian union Federazione Italiana Lavoratori Trasporti (FILT-CGIL) believes the accident was caused because safety measures were not being properly implemented. The union called for a meeting with managers over the issue but they refused to attend. This management approach, claims the union, is just the latest in a series of moves set out to weaken unions within the company.
Marco Sala of FILT-CGIL commented: “The management has been trying to destroy the strength of the unions in DHL in Bergamo, which has been built up over the years. Their policy has been to stop union meetings from taking place and to undermine trade unionism. DHL has also been cutting corners on safety. That’s why we decided to go on strike. The strike was a big success and DHL will now meet us to talk about safety and other issues that we are concerned about.”
Back to current news online stories
|
view larger image
