The proposed law would give government ministers power to amend Italy's 1970 "workers' statute"--the cornerstone of Italian labor law--for the first time since its adoption. Among the articles in the statute that employers would like to see changed or eliminated is one allowing courts to order a company with more than 15 workers to reinstate an employee if he or she is found to have been unfairly dismissed. The government is also seeking to slash welfare benefits and expand the use of part-time workers.

After meeting with Berlusconi, the leaders of the three main unions--the CGIL, CISL, and UIL--announced a "breakdown" in negotiations on this issue and called for the strike action.

However, the Financial Times noted government officials said the "two-hour strike was milder than anticipated." Sergio Cofferati, head of the CGIL public sector union, "appeared to favor calling a prolonged general strike, but the two smaller unions seem ready to negotiate," the paper added.  
 
 
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