Bathers' strike, unions: adhesion above expectations. But clash over numbers

The numbers are coming in on the adhesion to the 'beach umbrella strike' organised by the beachwear trade unions to protest against the government's failure to respond by the summer break to the request for regulatory intervention on the long-standing and unresolved issue of concessions. This morning the beach umbrellas opened not at 7.30 but two hours. A demonstration that has, however, split the category: Sib-Confcommercio and Fiba-Confesercenti have taken the path of mobilisation, while other unions such as Assobalneari, Federbalneari, and Cna have distanced themselves, speaking of a 'spot initiative'.

"There is a great adhesion, above expectations, to the awareness-raising moment wanted and organised today by Fiba Confesercenti and Sib Confcommercio. The most important seaside resorts in Italy, such as Romagna and Tuscany, are seeing almost total participation, and over 80% of beach operators have kept their umbrella service closed throughout the country". Thus Maurizio Rustignoli, president of Fiba Confesercenti.

Capacchione (Sib): Massive participation in strike

"We have registered a massive participation throughout Italy in the umbrella strike, beyond all expectations," said Antonio Capacchione, president of the Italian bathing union adhering to Fipe/Confcommercio.

But for Codacons, 'an association that has always been involved in monitoring bathing establishments', the situation is different: 'The number of lidos that closed during the two-hour strike is lower than expected, and the protest has not achieved the desired results. - explains the consumer association. - Beyond the demands of the category, which rightly asks for certainty about its future, proclaiming strikes in the middle of the summer season is confirmed as a wrong choice, rejected both by consumers and by the managers themselves.