Toronto: cancelled. Istanbul: cancelled. NYC: cancelled. atFiumicino airport as a result of national strike of employees of airport handling companies, pilots and flight attendants, 200 national and international flights were canceled in advance, including arrivals and departures. The passengers were informed in advance of the cancellation and consequently did not show up at the airport. By playing in advance, we have tried to stem the great discomfort in which the other Italian airports find themselves.
The travelers camped among the suitcases
But there are travelers waiting anyway. And unhappy: «They didn’t say anything to us – explains Salvador, a 66-year-old tourist in Rome with his family from Valencia, where they were supposed to return in the morning -. We were supposed to travel with Vuelgin (one of the companies most affected by the agitation, ed) but, I repeat, nobody warned us. We’ve been here for three hours.’ «We’re now looking for a hotel from here – his daughter intervenes sitting on the ground next to him in Terminal 1 – because at least there’s air conditioning. We have to stay here until next Tuesday. Now let’s take a taxi and go back to the city.’ «We have been here for 4 hours, we were supposed to leave for Abu Dhabi, with Wizz Air. Then from there, a stopover and finally the Maldives» tell Luis and Cristina, a young 29-year-old couple from Granada. She is sitting on the suitcases on the luggage trolley. He crouched there in front. Then they take turns trying to cheer themselves up: «Did we know? No – replies Luis -, no one warned us. We still fly tonight on the same airline. The adventure already began yesterday – he smiles -. It will be a journey of hope.”
“We want a renewal of the contract, which has been firm for 6 years”
Outside terminal 3, Filt-Cgil, Fit-Cisl, Uiltrasporti and Ugl Trasporto are with signs and flags: «We want a renewal and an adaptation of the contract, which has been inactive for 6 years – explains Marco di Domizio, of the Ugl – for the sector airport handling. For those involved in check-in, tarmac, loading and unloading of baggage. Also economic reasons and to improve the quality of life”.
“Questionable working conditions”
On the sidelines of the event, also the Fit-Cisl regional secretary, Stefania Fabbri: «What was previously done by five people is now the task of only two. The workload is greater, but the salaries are the same. They are physical jobs. With this heat – continues Fabbri -, you can’t breathe. Working hours bent over, kneeling and pulling the luggage one by one is hard work. They don’t even have water under the edge. They have no time to physically recover from stress. People who for 6 hours, even those who check-in, are unable to go to the bathroom. But handling is what makes this airport one of the best. And among the various tasks there are important and delicate ones such as accompanying minors. Working conditions are also questionable for new hires, many of whom choose to change jobs. Perhaps the intention was to reduce the effect of the strike but we continue to fight for our rights».
2023-07-15 13:33:14
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