An act of intimidation was carried out against a Uil union representative at Hitachi in Torre Lupo: Gabriele Labate, Uil RSU, had his car set on fire at the plant. This was announced by Uilm Calabria which in a note expressed «full solidarity with Labate, the victim of a serious act of intimidation».
During an institutional meeting, held at the Chamber of Mayors of the Uil of Reggio Calabria in the presence of the national secretary of the Uilm, Bruno Cantonetti, of the confederal secretary of the Uil Santo Biondo and of the general secretary of the Uil of Reggio Calabria, Giuseppe Rizzo, the note continues, «the regional Uilm structure gave Gabriele Labate a symbolic check, the result of a solidarity campaign promoted between workers and delegates throughout Italy, to help compensate for the material damage suffered and to concretely demonstrate the union’s closeness.”
«A concrete gesture for a colleague who has suffered an unacceptable act – said Bruno Cantonetti, Uilm national secretary – and for us solidarity is the most immediate and strongest response we can give to those affected for their union commitment».
Biondo added that the collective response must be made of solidarity, denunciation and commitment to legality. “What was committed against Gabriele Labate – he declared – was an execrable and squalid gesture, linked to internal dynamics in the world of work. It is an act that attacks the working life of every worker at the Hitachi plant in Reggio Calabria and has not only thrown havoc into the life of Gabriele Labate”.
The regional managers also reiterated the unity of the organization. Antonio Laurendi, general secretary of Uilm Calabria, underlined how «defending Labate means defending freedom of representation and the dignity of work».