Hopes of saving the bankrupt carrier Alitalia rose today (September 25) after one of the major unions said it would accept the rescue package.
Guglielmo Epifani, leader of the CGIL, told a news conference that ”an absolutely positive comprehensive agreement was reached” in talks with the potential buyers CAI.
The talks were held after Italy”s prime minister Silvio Berlusconi called the two sides together for a new round of talks earlier today.
In previous talks with CAI, a 16-strong consortium which has offered ”1bn (”794m) for the loss making airline, the union had rejected its rescue plan.
The deal would involve the loss of more than 3,000 jobs and possible pay cuts for the remaining workers.
Some reports from Rome said that CGIL had won some concessions from CAI on in pay, holidays and temporary workers at the talks.
After the talks, Mr Epifani said:"I'm confident that with the gains we won it will be possible for those who have not yet subscribed to the accord to reconsider and contribute to the re-launching of the company."
There were also reports that the mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno had said that Air France KLM would be a partner in the rescue agreement.
Air France KLM had tried to take over Alitalia earlier this year but pulled out because of union opposition.
The latest rescue attempt looked doomed after CAI withdrew its offer last week because of failure to agree with all nine unions at Alitalia.
Augusto Fantozzi, the commissioner appointed after the carrier went into receivership late last month, then put advertisements in four newspapers calling for any bidder for the carrier.
He put a deadline of September 30 on his offer.
But things began to move again yesterday (September 24) after an aide of Mr Berlusconi met members of the consortium.
Mr Berlusconi also called off his visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Under the rescue deal, CAI would buy the Italian”s 49.9% stake in the carrier and merge its profitable parts with rival airline Air One.
The unprofitable parts would be liquidated by the government.
Visit www.alitalia.com.