Tenants of Italian gas stations called off the strike, initially planned for 48 hours, after one day. This was announced by representatives of three unions this evening in Rome, following talks with government representatives. That should supply gas stations across the country with fuel again. In fact, the shutdown should have lasted until tomorrow night.
The Faib union had already decided yesterday that its members would only strike for 24 hours. Today, the Fegica and Figisc/Anisa unions shortened the strike. The unions said the decision was “because of the drivers, not the government”. Before that, there was constructive dialogue in the ministry.
Meloni faced with the first attack
Right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of the post-fascist Fratelli d’Italia party faced her first strike since taking office in October. The background to the labor dispute was the actions of Prime Minister Meloni’s government in the fight against rising fuel prices.
Associations of Italian gas station operators want to protest a government measure with the closure. This means that service stations are obliged to indicate the national average price of petrol and diesel in addition to their own prices. Fines of up to €800 are foreseen for non-compliance. The government wants to use this to fight price speculation at pumps.