AF-KLM softens position on Alitalia's unions, as rival Air One readies for another bid

With Italian politician, and ex-premier, Silvio Berlusconi, already declaring his opposition to an Air France-KLM bid for Alitalia, and rival Air One announcing its interest in making another bid for the struggling flag carrier, AF-KLM appears to have softened its position, with regard to Alitalia's unions, somewhat.

AF-KLM chairman, and CEO, Jean-Cyril Spinetta, met with representatives of nine Alitalia unions on Wednesday and offered to make a new proposal regarding redundancies by Friday. "No worker will be abandoned and….an appropriate solution would be designed for each of the 2,100 employees concerned by the plan," AF-KLM said.

The Group's reorganization plan for Alitalia affects 1,600 employees at the airline and 500 at AZ Servizi.

According to agency reports, which quoted union sources, AF-KLM have indicated a willingness to negotiate with them past its original 31 March deadline.

Meanwhile, Air One chief, Carlo Toto, said last week that he was ready to make another offer. But this, he said, would only be made after a look at Alitalia's financials.

In any case, according to Toto, the offer would not be ready for at least another three weeks. This, roughly, is about the time AF-KLM bid opponent, Silvio Berlusconi, needs to be elected as prime minister.