Ex Ilva workers occupy Genoa airport over layoff plan at Cornigliano

Workers occupy the airport terminal

Workers from the ex Ilva plant at Cornigliano, in Genoa, left the factory on Monday, 19 October and marched to the Cristoforo Colombo airport. The walkout followed a union assembly held at the plant gates at 7 in the morning, which decided on the protest. Police did not block their entry, and the workers declared the airport occupied as they reached the boarding area. They left a corridor open so passengers could still board, then sat on the floor and pounded it with their helmets. Airport operations carried on despite logistical strain from the large number of workers present, and the regional president, Marco Bucci, also arrived at the airport. Palombo, of the Fiom union, told the cheering crowd the workers would remain until the government responded.

We will stay here until this government gives us an answer.

The layoff request behind the occupation

Acciaierie d'Italia, which is in extraordinary administration, started procedures to raise the cassa integrazione straordinaria (temporary layoff scheme) to a maximum of 8,622 employees across the group, nearly double the 4,450 currently covered. The extended scheme would run until 28 February 2027, unless further extensions are granted. The measure reaches all of the group's main sites, from Taranto to Genoa. At the Genoa plant, the commissioners asked to place 870 of the 917 workers on the scheme. Nicola Appice of Fim Cisl warned that the cuts could halt entire departments, including office staff.

Supplies must be guaranteed immediately: we are ready to do anything to save jobs.

Broken commitments and coil shortage

Palombo accused the commissioners of reneging on an earlier deal. On Wednesday, in the week of 12 October, they signed in Rome and sent the prefect a letter guaranteeing production continuity. By midnight on Friday, 16 October, they had sent a certified email (PEC) raising the layoffs. A few days before the layoff request, an agreement had guaranteed production at the site until the end of November, pending solutions for the months after. Appice said three days at the prefecture had secured a temporary supply of 35,000 tonnes of coils to keep Genoa running, but the new layoff notice risks halting the remaining processing. Palombo added that Genoa cannot wait ten years for the green transition while the market is strong, and that the coils must arrive now. Workers also face a Court of Cassation ruling on the shutdown of the hot area at Taranto, which Appice described as imminent.

An open-ended protest

The protest has no fixed end, and will continue until news arrives from Rome and workers have certainty about their jobs. Fabio Ceraudo of Usb closed the speeches from the stage, urging Genoa to defend its industrial base. The workers remained in the boarding area while airport operations continued. The sit-in will last until the government gives a clear answer on the layoffs.