National strike hits Italy; UK to see several strikes

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A national strike grounded dozens of planes and brought buses and trains to a standstill across Italy.

Workers staged a march in Rome and other cities to demand job protection amid the country's economic crisis.

The four-hour stoppage caused traffic gridlock in some cities, and Alitalia had to cancel or reschedule some flights.

Hospital and school workers were staging an eight-hour strike, causing delays and forcing some schools to shut

www.presstv.ir...

Called upon by the Italian General Confederation of Labor (CGIL), various cities saw workers bringing the public services to standstill for an entire day and freezing the public transport networks for four hours, Reuters reported.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters were also reported to have taken to the streets of the capital, Rome.

"We've had enough Silvio (Berlusconi), we are fed up. He talks and talks but does everything just for himself," said marcher Stefano Cavallaro.

The left-wing CGIL of 6-million-strong membership has been reportedly pressing Rome to ease the tax load on the current and former workers, secure employment and overturn its tough policies vis-à-vis immigrants, the agency said.

strikes about wage cuts and taxes are now sweeping thru italy... there is civil unrest in all the "PIGS" of Europe (Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece) also in the UK... where things could get real serious real fast real soon...

[edit on 12-3-2010 by TheCoffinman]

found a schedule of upcoming strikes in the UK

www.channel4.com...

Civil servants are planning further action, and teachers are balloting shortly. Here's a guide to the industrial forecast for the next few weeks:

Monday 15 March
National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) open strike ballot on boycott of this year’s Sats tests.

Tuesday 16 March
RMT ballot Virgin Trains ticket office staff over industrial action in dispute over additional pay for staff operating new ticketing machines.

Friday 19 March
RMT ballots signallers over strike action over conditions, including transfer and redundancy arrangements. Rail unions expected to announce dates for industrial action.

Saturday 20 – Monday 22 March
BA cabin crew staff with Unite strike over proposed job cuts and a pay freeze.

Wednesday 24 March
Walkout by Public and Commercial Services (PCS) civil servants over cuts to civil servants’ redundancy pay.

Saturday 27 – Tuesday 20 March
BA cabin crew staff with Unite strike over proposed job cuts and a pay freeze.

I believe the UK could be on the verge ....

The solutions to these problems are simple - if people would seize their government and do them.

The government should insure all citizens deposits in gold, along with retirement funds.

Then it should seize the BoE and print away all its debts - causing massive inflation, but getting itself out of debt.

Then create a new currency backed by gold, exchange all the insured deposits and retirement funds into the new currency (using the original gold value).

This simply gives the banks the finger - and anyone who is holding UK debt of course - but omelets require the breaking of some eggs.

www.monstersandcritics.com...

Two weeks before regional elections across Italy, tens of thousands of protesters once again came out Saturday to protest Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and those allied to him.

Gathering at the Piazza del Popolo, protesters especially spoke out against an order that allowed members of Berlusconi's party to appear on ballots even though they missed a filing deadline. Past protests have focused on Berlusconi's interest in passing laws that would exempt him from some legal proceedings.

Pier Luigi Bersani, head of the largest opposition PD party, called for unity in the opposition to Berlusconi. 'A different Italy is possible,' he exhorted.

Organizers estimated 200,000 people joined the protests. Police

estimates - which tend to be lower - were not yet available. There were also gatherings in Bologna and Milan. The regional elections are set for March 28 and 29.