Strike forces Alitalia cancel dozens of flights

Rome - Troubled Italian carrier Alitalia said Tuesday it was forced to cancel 40 flights to and from Rome's Fiumicino airport due to a strike by one of several unions opposing a government-backed rescue plan for the state-controlled airline.

The flights involved - almost half of which are international - where those initially scheduled to operate between 12 pm and 4 pm (1000-1400 GMT) Alitalia said on its website.

CUB, a union representing cabin crew and not affiliated to Italy's main labour confederations, announced its members would stage a four-hour stoppage beginning at noon.

CUB is protesting the government-backed plan which would involve the airline's takeover by a group of Italian investors, CAI, and which would include at least 3,000 job cuts.

"It is irresponsible to stage a strike during negotiations," Transport Minister ALtero Matteoli said.

But CUB representative Fabio Frati criticized the main unions, CGIL, CISL and UIL for continuing to negotiate with the government.

"It's not true that 3,000 people will lose the jobs. The number is closer to 10,000," he told television news channel Sky TG24.

The strike is the latest setback to hit Alitalia, whose ability to continue operating was placed in doubt over the weekend when the airline's government-appointed commissioner said it may no longer afford to pay for fuel for its planes.

Commissioner Augusto Fantozzi has been trying to persuade unions to accept terms laid out by the CAI group of investors.

The unions rejection of the terms, in particular the job cuts, prompted CAI last week to walk out of the talks.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has repeatedly criticized the unions saying their stance is politically motivated.

Berlusconi campaigned prior to his April election triumph for Alitalia to remain in Italian hands and has championed CAI's bid as an alternative to one made earlier this year by French-Dutch airline Air France-KLM.

Air France-KLM withdrew its bid, which was supported by Italy's previous centre-left government, when it became clear that Berlusconi, once in office, would have opposed it.

It is estimated that Alitalia loses around 2 million euros (2.7 million dollars) a day. (dpa)

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