Protests held outside the prefecture of Asti, advocating for Gaza
In a swift and unprecedented move, unions across Italy mobilized workers for a four-hour work stoppage on Tuesday, an action that spanned all sectors except for the public sector. The initiative was driven by growing concerns over the ongoing conflict in Palestine, with the focus centered on the escalating violence in Gaza.
The strike, organized in just two days, saw an excellent response according to Luca Quagliotti, secretary of CGIL Asti. In the city of Asti, participation rates in factories ranged between 70 and 80%, while around 50% of workers in the Villanovese industries joined the action. The strike was not limited to one specific industry, as it involved multiple sectors, reflecting the widespread solidarity among workers.
Luca Quagliotti also commented that 100% of the employees at Johnson Electric participated in the strike. Elsewhere in Italy, over a hundred workers and union members gathered in front of the Prefecture to demand a clear stance against the genocide in Palestine. Fantasse Taha, a factory worker, was among those who joined the strike organized by CGIL to denounce the situation in Gaza.
Meanwhile, in Europe, many civilian companies have started to reconvert to the military industry. Companies in crisis in Vercelli, for instance, are now producing bullet casings. This shift in production has raised concerns about the potential escalation of conflict and the increasing militarization of Europe.
The motion against the increase in military spending in the European Union, the ReArm Europe plan, was not passed. The political group that voted against the increasing EU armament capacity within the ReArm Europe plan is the Socialists, as indicated by their vote in the EMPL Committee against the omnibus proposals related to this plan.
Quagliotti believes that Palestine's recognition was positive, but the motion on rearmament should have also been approved. He states that the failure to approve the motion on rearmament is due to the fear or opportunism of some political forces.
The situation has led to a significant increase in public discourse about the possibility of a third world war. On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved a motion calling for Italy to recognize Palestine and a ceasefire in the Strip. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the events in Palestine will impact industries and unions across Europe. However, one thing is certain: the workers' voices are being heard, and their demand for peace and justice resonates louder than ever.
If companies in Asti start producing bullet casings, CGIL has declared that they will be ready to strike. The union's resolve to stand against the militarization of their industries serves as a testament to their commitment to peace and the protection of their workers' rights.
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