TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS IDLE IN ROME MILAN AND NAPLES; DEMONSTRATION AND STRIKE MEETING IN PALERMO, SICILY.




Initials CP/V & VS/CT/OS



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Background: ITALIAN RAILWAYS AND POSTAL SERVICES CAME TO A VIRTUAL STANDSTILL TODAY (SATURDAY) AS A MILLION STATE EMPLOYEES STAGED A 24-HOUR NATIONWIDE STRIKE FOR MORE PAY. UNION OFFICIALS CLAIMED THE STRIKE WAS 90 PERCENT EFFECTIVE.

THE STRIKE ALSO AFFECTED MINISTRIES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, TELEPHONE SERVICES AND THE LAW COURTS.

THE WORST SITUATION DEVELOPED ON THE RAILWAYS, WHERE TRAINS STOPPED AT THE NEAREST MAJOR STATION AND THEIR CREWS REFUSED TO TAKE THEM ANY FURTHER AFTER 7 A.M.

SOLDIERS AND A FEW NON-STRIKERS WERE RUNNING EMERGENCY SERVICES ON THE MAIN ROUTES AND THE TRANSPORT MINISTRY ORGANISED BUS SERVICES BETWEEN THE CHIEF CITIES.

ARMY COMMUNICATIONS SQUADS MANNED THE MILAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTRE TO REPAIR BREAKDOWNS AND KEEP LINES OPEN. BUT THE ROME CENTRE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY WITH MOST OF THE STAFF PRESENT.

MANUALLY-OPERATED INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE SERVICES ALSO WORKED NORMALLY.

BUT ON RAILWAY STATIONS AND AT BUS TERMINALS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, HUNDREDS WAITED IN VAIN FOR TRAINS AND BUSES THAT DID NOT COME.

IN NAPLES, THE STRIKE PARALYSED FERRY SERVICES ACROSS THE BAY OF NAPLES.

TODAY'S STRIKE, CALLED BY THE THREE MAIN TRADE UNION FEDERATIONS IS FOR PLAY RISES WORTH 100 TO 134 MILLION STERLING ON TOP OF THE 300 MILLION STERLING INCREASE ALREADY PROMISED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THE EMPLOYEES ARE DEMANDING A COMPLETE REFORM OF THE STATE ADMINISTRATION, A FINANCIAL OVERHAUL OF THEIR NEAR-BANKRUPT SOCIAL INSURANCE ORGANISATION AND THE ABOLITION OF LAWS DOCKING A WHOLE DAY'S PAY EVEN IF THEY STRIKE FOR ONLY ONE HOUR.

A WAVE OF SIMILAR STOPPAGES LAST YEAR AND EARLY THIS YEAR SUCCESSFULLY EXTRACTED HIGHER STATE PENSIONS AND A STANDARDISATION OF WAGE RATES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.