exterior of Palazzo Chigi, government headquarters-Minister of Budget Tommaso Morlino arriving Giorgio Benvenuto (40ish-good looking young man) entering into Palazzo Chigi,-leader of Socialist UIL union Luigi Macario-leader of Christian democrat union CISL arriving Tina Anselmi, minister of Labour (a woman) arriving Luciano Lama, communist trade unionists of CGIL Donat Cattin, minister of industry arriving



interiors: inside palazzo Chigi, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti seated next to Tina Anselmi, sitting with trade unionists round discussion table, the union leaders are seated directly in front of him.




Initials



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Background: The Italian government held an important meeting today with members of Italy's main three trade unions to discuss the country's future economic plans. Another meeting will be held tomorrow with representatives of the political parties who support the minority Christian democratic government of Giulio Andreotti. From these meetings the future of the government will be decided. The trade unions have already said that unless their demands are met they will sta???e a general strike in mid January. The parties are pressing the Christian democrats into forming a government of national unity, which would include the Communists.

The government is meeting the union leaders and the parties to discuss the serious economic situation. In order to raise more money for the budget which is in huge deficit, the government intends to increase public utility tariffs and may increase taxes.