u-blox demonstration

Today, International Women’s Day, u-blox Italia workers held a demonstration in Trieste’s main square.

The company is undergoing voluntary liquidation decided by the Swiss management without, however, as required by practice and Article 9 of the national collective labor agreement for metalworkers, prior consultation with social partners, including union representation.

The lack of consultation, besides being odd, is also a demonstration of the arrogance of those who, on one hand, claim to want to listen to the workers, but on the other hand, show they don’t want to do so on important occasions. It is a fact that there is a cultural issue that probably makes these dynamics difficult to understand for non-Italians, but it is also a fact that the company has been using consultants who are well-versed in the Italian labor market for over six months. A consultation before the decision to liquidate the company would have allowed for solutions to be found that, at no cost to the company, would have permitted for a much less violent transition for the u-blox Italia workers. As usual, this happens when those who work are considered a cost and not persons, resources for the company.

Several hundred people took turns participating, and many spoke in support of the workers fighting for their jobs. It is worth recalling the speech by a professor from the University of Trieste who, speaking on behalf of all the professors of the engineering faculty, reminded everyone of the longstanding relationship of mutual support between u-blox Italia and the University of Trieste. There were also speeches by representatives of ‘Non una di meno’ (Not One Less, women organiaation), the mayor of Sgonico, the u-blox RSU and Tirso (another company in crisis that came to support the picket), the USB delegate, and several u-blox Italia workers. All of this took place under the eyes and cameras of various local and national media outlets, which interviewed u-blox Italia RSU and workers, giving voice to those who see their jobs erased by the overbearing power at the service of Swiss finance.

One thing is certain, the u-blox Italia workers, with their unwavering will and determination, are ready to shout once again:

NO AI LICENZIAMENTI
IL LAVORO E’ UN DIRITTO
(NO LAYOFFS – WORK IS A RIGHT)