Health unions hope to negotiate but maintain strike threat

Unions representing workers in the private health sector - Fp-Cgil, Cisl-Fp and Uil-Fpl - have welcomed the initiative of the health ministry to convene a meeting with the employer organisations - Aris and Aiop - on 17 September. The unions say they are ready to start negotiations immediately and finally deliver a new collective agreement after 13 years for the 300000 workers in the sector. The regional authorities responsible for healthcare have indicated their support for the negotiations but the unions say it is up to Aris and Aiop to show their commitment. The unions are planning strike action on 20 September if there is no progress with the negotiations.