Solidarity with Dante De Angelis, rail worker
The dismissal of Dante De Angelis is evidence that any form of union opposition in the railways that is not directly controlled by the main rail unions (FILT, FIT, UILT, SMA, UGL and ORSA) must be eliminated, together with the person providing that opposition. If this seems exaggerated, have a look at the railway's Ethical Code. FS personnel are banned from making statements to the press, but also from expressing their opinions to citizens and passengers, using the web, writing blogs or participating in discussion lists. In theory, any rail worker could face disciplinary measures for writing anything on internet. Only appointed company press officers can make statements, and union representatives who, of course, do so from the safety of their union.
Taking advantage of employment minister Brunetta's recent fatwah against civil servants (apparently, rail workers count as both private and public sector workers, depending on the needs of the bosses at the time), FS has fired 8 workers in Genoa for irregularities in clocking in and out, and both Trenitalia and the whole Gruppo FS have gone back to their favourite "sport" - sniping at non-compliant union delegates and militant activists. In preparation for the coming wave of privatization, they need to get rid of all the opposition to the liberalization of the railways and the disastrous effects that it has produced so far. There is obviously too great a temptation to sell off in Italy, a country alone in Europe in tenaciously and systematically dismantling public services, irrespective of what government is in power.
Once again, Dante De Angelis is paying for his integrity, his courage, his role as an honest and conscientious worker, grassroots syndicalist and citizen. We need to build the widest possible solidarity net around him, both in Italy and internationally, in order to support him in this new battle. To support him, but also to support all FS workers and all rail users in this unfortunate country, and to support a right - the right to express one's opinion - which dates back to 1789 and is enshrined in both Italy's Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Libertarians, anarchists, anarchist communists are traditionally strong providers of solidarity. The FdCA in particular has always been in the forefront of the defence of rail workers suffering from company repression with suspensions and dismissals. In this case, too, our Federation will dedicate all its energies and available forces to stand firm with Dante.
Let's build a great union and social mobilization for Dante De Angelis!
Labour Commission
Federazione dei
Comunisti Anarchici
19th August 2008
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