Italian unions going ahead with strike
ROME—Italian union leaders say they are going ahead with their call for a general strike Monday to protest pension reforms that are part of Premier Mario Monti's rescue package to save Italy from financial disaster.
Monti held talks Sunday night with the leaders of Italy's main labor confederations at the premier's office. Afterward, CGIL union leader Susanna Camusso told reporters that the strike was going ahead because Monti made only a "generic" commitment to look into their demands.
CISL labor confederation leader Raffaele Bonanni says the unions agree with Monti that Italy's facing a "grave" crisis but insist that the austerity measures should be fairer. The measures include drastically overhauling Italy's generous pension system, raising some taxes and reviving a home property tax.
