20,000 in Rome and 20,000 more in Milan participated in the two central events of the 24-hour general strike that was organised today on the 22 of June, by USB, CUB, CIB-Unicobas, Snater, USES, IS-Cobas and Or.SA, throughout the public sector and private companies. Other initiatives of mobilization took place in Sicily and Sardinia.
The succesful strike was called against the economic and social policies of the Monti government. Urban transport was closed down. According to the figures, in Rome 75% were abstent from ATAC and 50% from Cotral while metro A and B were slowed sharply. 80% of the Kindergartens in the capital closed down and there was a significant impact on other public services as well. In Milan all the subway lines, the bus and the tram have closed down.
“We must stop them,” was the Frontline Banner of the two central demonstrations. A delegation of Emilia Romagna opened the Milan demonstration who could were not able to strike because of the earthquake. Many factories in the parade, including the Fiat Mirafiori and Fomas of Lecco and the portion of the migrants at Basingstoke have been recently attacked by the police while demonstrating for their rights.
In Rome, the parade was opened by the Fire Department, who is also on strike against the heavy cuts and for the ability to assist people. Many civil servants participated as well, including a delegation of workers from ISFOL who are on the fifteenth day of occupation of the Institute which is at risk of dismantling, as well as many private sector employees at airports and supermarkets, representatives of social movements and the right to housing.
The parade ended in the Roman Piazza SS Apostoli which remains silent after the recent earthquake, from where the demonstration continued.
For the USB, this strike is the only way of fighting against the Fornero Fornero, while on the meantime deafening is the silence of some organizations that claim to be representative of the workers. The struggle continues after this strike, in every city and in every workplace to prevent this countereform to be applied.