The shutdown of the road haulage service in Calabria is confirmed for 16 October. The Fedralog regional assembly has been convened for tomorrow which will make the strike official. The news emerged at the end of the discussion table that took place in the afternoon at the regional Citadel of Catanzaro between the councilor Antonio Montuoro and a delegation from the trade association. The meeting was called after the mobilization that on Monday brought around one hundred vehicles to the headquarters of the Calabria Region in protest against the high cost of fuel and the difficulties of the sector. “We apologize from now on to those who won’t see the liter of milk or the kilo of pasta on the supermarket shelves, it’s not our fault”, clarified Fedralog regional councilor Girolamo Giovinazzo.
“The stop will lead to the total blocking of the vehicles”
The delegation wanted to thank the member of the Council and the President of the Region but explained that the difficult contingencies do not allow a step backwards. “We have achieved a small but great result: the consultation as a technical table. Unfortunately, the consultation does not mean that in the short term we will be able to discuss the enormous problems of the third party road haulage sector in Italy. Therefore the strike remains proclaimed” explained Giovinazzo. “Unfortunately in many cases there is not the economic strength and liquidity to guarantee the circulation of our vehicles”. The stoppage will lead to a “total blockade of vehicles. The goods – it was explained – that travel by road will not reach the shelves. Calabria will stop first, which could be followed by Sicily and, if other colleagues from other regions join in, Italy will stop”, observed Giovinazzo.
The Fedralog press release
“Fedralog Calabria thanks the Regional Councilor Antonio Montuoro for having received a delegation from the Federation today and for the attention shown towards the problems of the sector. We also welcome the confirmation of the Regional Road Transport Council, an important result for which Fedralog has been fighting for several years and which represents a useful tool to give continuity to the discussion between companies and institutions. Despite this step, we cannot be in the least satisfied with the overall outcome of the meeting. We believe it is our duty to highlight the attitude held so far by the Region: since the launch of our statement, last September 24th, no regional delegation has shown interest in our requests. It was only until October 5th, the day of the demonstration, that a prolonged silence made it clear to Fedralog how little importance has been given to the serious suffering and requests of our sector Fedralog Calabria will continue with determination on the path towards the regional stoppage of road transport. Tomorrow a meeting will be held with the Calabrian transporters, during which the mobilization initiatives, the measures and the operational methods of the stoppage will be confirmed and organised. This will be the venue in which the final decision on the continuation of the protest will be formalised. Fedralog reiterates its availability for dialogue, but will from now on demand facts, binding commitments and certain times.