12 August, 2010Italian labour court orders FIAT to reinstate dismissed workers and condemned the anti-union behaviour of the company.
ITALY: The judge of the Melfi labour court ordered FIAT on August 11 to reinstate FIOM delegates Antonio Lamorte, Giovanni Barozzino and a FIOM member Marco Pignatelli fired on July 14 for alleged sabotage of factory work during the internal strike against work intensification imposed by the management. The workers are to return to their workplaces on August 23.
The company accused the workers of blocking an automated platform delivering spare parts to other workers not involved in the strike and by this hindering the production process.
Contrary to the company's opinion the judge came to the conclusion the workers are innocent. The judge also condemned the company for anti-trade union behaviour and subsequent violation of the national legislation in a bid to undermine the union by dismissing its activists.
IMF Italian affiliate FIOM organised a series of actions in support of these and other dismissed workers in Melfi and Pomigliano. All IMF affiliates in Italy responded positively to the announced decision on reinstatement.
FIAT did not agree with the Melfi court decision and announced it will appeal the decision.
For more details, follow the link to see the previous report of the IMF.