Monti bid to assuage union concerns on debt package

The Italian government’s financial rescue plan is yet to be finalised, but already labour unions are denouncing it and some politicians are suggesting they might not back all the anticipated harsh measures meant to save the country from bankruptcy.

Unions seem particularly galled that premier Mario Monti, in his rush to reassure markets about Italy’s ability to rein in its debt and spur growth, is doing away with the government’s traditional negotiations with them over any change to labour regulations or pensions.