ROME (Thomson Financial) - Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi today urged
unions at Alitalia to show "a sense of responsibility" in talks with Air
France-KLM that could lead to a takeover of the financially strapped Italian
carrier.
"A great sense of responsibility on the part of the unions is needed," Prodi
told Sky TG 24 television a day before unions and Air France-KLM managers were
to resume discussions on a takeover proposal from the French-Dutch group.
"They must think of the future of the company with great care."
Prodi said his government remained "open to an Italian consortium," a
reference to a call by right wing leader and former prime minister Silvio
Berlusconi for an Italian solution to rescue Alitalia.
But he stressed that any such proposal would have to be "serious, concrete,
with financial resources, officials and an industrial plan."
Alitalia unions, fearing job cuts, last week rejected an Air France-KLM
offer to acquire the 49.9 pct of the airline held by the Italian state.
The unions have until March 31 to present their final response.
tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.com
afp/cmr
COPYRIGHT
Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.
The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content,
including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior
written consent of Thomson Financial News.
|