Naples is approaching New Year's Eve, but there is tension in the air regarding public transport. ANM, the company that manages the metro and funiculars in Naples, is disagree with the unions. The question at the center of the debate is the extra remuneration requested by the workers for night services on the night between 31 December and 1 January.
A recent meeting between the parties it did not lead to a solution, leaving the transportation service for the holidays uncertain.
Updated:
a constructive agreement was found between the company and the unions which led to the definition of transport timetables during the holidays.
The meeting between unions and the compensation requested
The meeting betweenANM and the union representatives did not lead to an agreement. Discussions focused on night-time metro and funicular service for New Year's Eve. The current situation contrasts with an agreement previously reached for December 25th and January 1st, where it had been agreed not to suspend services at 13pm as usual.
Last year, for the same New Year's Eve, workers received significantly more compensation, with each extra hour of work paid seven times the normal amount. This he had brought additional earnings between 500 and 700 euros for every single employee involved. The comparison with the current offer of 150 euros extra per shift highlights the gap between workers' expectations and ANM's proposal.
How much more are public transport employees paid abroad on New Year's Eve?
Usually abroad there is the custom of paying workers more during public holidays or particularly important public holidays, the so-called super holidays. The pay, however, is in line with what is proposed by ANM, considering that an average driver earns around €1500 per month.
For example, in France, subway employees they receive an extra 100% of their daily wages for their work on public holidays, including New Year's Eve and Christmas. In Germany, the extra is 50% of the daily wage for work carried out on public holidays, but it can be 100% if it is a particularly long public holiday. In Italy, the average extra is 20% for work carried out on public holidays, but it may be higher if it is a particularly important public holiday, such as New Year's Eve.
Also, in some countries, subway employees they may also be entitled to a day of rest compensation for work done on holidays. For example, in France, metro employees are entitled to one day of compensatory rest for each public holiday worked.
The agreement for the New Year's races could fall through
The current stalemate in negotiations betweenANM and the unions might have significant consequences for public transport services in Naples during the holidays. If an agreement cannot be reached, Neapolitans and tourists could find themselves without metro and funicular services on New Year's Eve. This would not only create inconvenience for citizens who wish to move around the city during the celebrations, but it could also influence the image and tourist attractiveness of Naples during such a crucial period.
Furthermore, there is a risk that the lack of agreement for New Year's Eve could also compromise the agreement previously reached for the afternoons of December 25th and January 1st. A situation of this type could intensify tensions between the ANM and the unions, making future negotiations more complex.
The next meeting between ANM and the Unions
Despite the current impasse, there is a glimmer of hope. A new meeting is scheduled for 22th December, where ANM, EAV and trade union representatives will once again discuss issues related to public transport during the Christmas holidays. A meeting that could offer an opportunity to overcome differences and find a shared solution.
Some union representatives, such as Enzo Monetta of the CISL, say they are cautiously optimistic regarding the possibility of reaching an agreement. Recalling past experiences, Monetta points out that it is not unusual for parties to start with distant positions and then get closer through dialogue. The common objective is to guarantee an efficient service for the community, while maintaining the rights and expectations of workers.
