Wizz Air rejects Italian union calls for collective bargaining

Wizz Air has rejected calls from unions in Italy to agree a labour contract with them as the budget airline presses ahead with a rapid expansion in the country.

In a letter to the labour ministry, reported by the Avionews website and seen by Reuters, the Hungarian airline said it was determined to operate in Italy without engaging with unions.

Lengthy negotiations between Rome and the European Commission on a plan to revive cash-strapped carrier Alitalia have left gaps in the Italian market that low cost competitors are rushing to fill.

Wizz Air, which started deploying crews and aircraft in Italy in July 2020, plans to open its fourth base in the country in June under a deal with Palermo airport in Sicily.

“Unions want Wizz Air to introduce a collective contract for its workers in the country to avoid risks of inequalities among its employees versus other carriers in the country,” a union source told Reuters.