Public workers plan walkout in Italy

18/03/2005 - 08:07:10
State employees were set to walk off the job today, leaving schools, tax offices and other public authorities short-staffed or closed across Italy.

Hospital services were also expected to be reduced, but emergency treatment was guaranteed, the CGIL labour union said in a statement.

The day-long strike was called as public workers demanded renewed contracts and increased pay.

It is their third walkout in a year.