Strike at Monte dei Paschi, the trade unions, "Strong adhesion". Four presidia

Rome 24 September 2021 – «Strong» according to the Fisac CGIL membership of Mps workers to today’s strike to ask for a meeting with the Government and a discussion on the future of the Sienese bank, on the employment effects of the entire Group and related industries, against the ‘stew’ hypothesis and to avoid the feared closure of 50 branches in all Italy.

Four principals in the square a Milan, Rome, Bari and Siena in front of the historic site of Rocca Salimbeni. Here about 200 workers responded to the invitation of the confederal acronyms Cgil, Cisl and Uil and right here, in front of the statue of Sallustio Bandini, symbol of Mps, the secretary of the CISL Siena Emanuela Anichini thundered against the hypothesis of an operation with Unicredit as “A catastrophe for the territory, banking and non-banking, young and old“. To specify instead that today’s strike was not against the acquisition project by the bank in Piazza Gae Aulenti, is the secretary of Fabi Lando Sileoni: «It’s not a no to Unicredit».

“I am convinced that Prime Minister Draghi, Minister Franco and the director general of the Treasury Rivera will find, with Unicredit, the best possible solutions, solutions that the unions will evaluate and oppose if they are not socially and politically sustainable »added Sileoni.

What makes all the unions agree is instead the concern for the “very high” bill that the workers could pay: «Our future is uncertain – reads the joint document Fabi, Uilca, First, Fisac, Unisin-; the responsibility is not ours but it is us, the workers of the Group Monte dei Paschi di Siena, to risk paying the bill ».

According to the trade unions, about 5 thousand jobs are at risk, and “if the call does not arrive on MPS in the next few hours, on Monday we will strongly impose the need to open a discussion table” said the general secretary of the CGIL Maurizio Landini in sight of the meeting at Palazzo Chigi with Mario Draghi on the subject of safety at work. A need for confrontation that seems to bring together politicians and institutions, from left to right. Even the secretary of the Democratic Party, Enrico Letta, asked the government “to convene the unions and there is a discussion”, saying that he is “convinced that an answer will arrive in the next few days”. “From Draghi and Letta we expect a clear line in a short time that, we hope, will put the safeguarding of the Institute and jobs first” declared the group leaders of the Chamber and Senate of the League, Riccardo Molinari and Massimiliano Romeo.

Meanwhile, in an open letter, the MPS workforce addresses the country. «We are the workers of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena Group – reads the joint document Fabi, Uilca, First, Fisac, Unisin – In recent years you have heard of our bank as a problem. Instead we are the people who, despite the difficulties, have worked with dedication to provide our customers with a competent and responsive service. Today we are on strike because our future is uncertain ».

«The responsibility is not ours but it is us, workers of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena Group, who risk paying the bill. A hefty bill. Today we are on strike because we deserve respect and to ask to be immediately involved in the project that must concern all the employees of the entire Group – and not just a part – to negotiate the guarantees of a dignified and sustainable future. For all and for all of us. We ask you to make an effort to understand our reasons and to be in solidarity with our protest »concludes the letter.

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