Italian I.R. ‑ Environments

IV- Confederations - Specific

•CGIL ‑ Italian General Confederation of Labor

–About 5.2 million 1997, ~ 50% retirees ‑ strongest among blue collar industrial workers

–Left‑wing oriented ‑ ties to both PCI and PSI

•CISL ‑ Italian Confederation of Workers Unions

–About 3.9 million 1997, ~50% retirees

–Large Catholic element but not exclusively Catholic

•UIL ‑ Italian Union of Labor

–About 1.7 million 1997, ~25% retirees ‑ strongest in public sector

–Ties to both PSI and small center parties but also now formally autonomous


	Left‑wing oriented ‑ ties to both PCI and PSI
			Since 1949 PCI and PSI always shared power in CGIL
			1990 formally dissolved PCI faction
			Now ties to PSI and PDS but formally autonomous
			Other major confederations split from this one in period 1945-50 (BLW)

	Large Catholic element but not exclusively Catholic
			Most leaders traditionally close to DC
			Gradually weakening DC links since 1960s, now formally autonomous

	Ties to both PSI and small center parties but also now formally autonomous
			After severe splits in 2002, the three confederations began to attempt to work together again in 2004
			Negotiated together and signed with several employers’ associations an agreement aimed at improving the economy of the south