ITA Airlines' Predecessor Alitalia Crew Protests in Underwear, Shedding Uniforms
Flight Attendants Say "Salaries Cut and Workload Not Properly Shared"
On the 23rd (local time), female flight attendants of ITA Airways, the Italian state-owned airline, held an "underwear protest" to oppose job losses and salary cuts. Photo by CNN
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Flight attendants who were dismissed from a state-owned Italian airline protested against unfair dismissals by taking off their uniforms on the streets of Rome, the capital.
On the 23rd (local time), according to CNN and others, the Italian state-owned airline Alitalia recently launched anew as ITA Airways, dismissing some flight attendants. Out of 10,500 Alitalia employees, 2,800 were re-employed by ITA.
According to reports, about 50 flight attendants who faced unfair dismissal gathered at Campidoglio Square in central Rome and held a so-called "underwear protest" to oppose ITA's unfair dismissals and wage cuts.
They shouted, "We are Alitalia," demanding job security and the cancellation of wage reductions. The restructured flight attendants claim that after becoming part of ITA Airways, their salaries have decreased and proper work distribution has not been implemented.
Earlier, the Italian government acquired the bankrupt state-owned airline Alitalia for about $104 million (122.3 billion KRW) due to management and financial difficulties, launched ITA as a new airline, and officially started operations on the 15th. Alitalia had been running deficits for several years and was at risk of being sold to foreign airlines, but the government nationalized it to resolve the issue for the time being.
However, during this process, a significant number of Alitalia employees were dismissed, and even those who retained their jobs reportedly faced wage cuts. Alitalia employees have continuously protested, but the company has not presented appropriate measures.
Alfredo Altavilla, chairman of ITA Airways, described the protest as a "national disgrace," emphasizing, "Alitalia employees agreed to the current working conditions. Negotiations on the contract have already ended, and Alitalia has signed the contract."
Meanwhile, ITA Airways plans to connect 44 overseas cities (61 routes) with 52 aircraft this year. It announced plans to steadily expand its scale to operate 105 aircraft and employ up to 5,700 staff by the end of 2025, aiming to become a mid-sized airline.
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