ROME (Reuters). – ROME (Reuters) – Two large unions in Italy have declared a strike against the budget for 2022, dividing the labor movement and angering the allies of Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

UIL and CGIL unions called the stoppage of Dec. 16th. They said in a late Monday statement that they were opposed to budgetary measures concerning tax, pensions, schools and industrial policies, as well as job security.

The second-largest union in Italy, CISL said that it wouldn’t take part — marking the first split among the three largest labour organizations since 2014.

“The CISL believes it is wrong to resort at all to a general strikes and radicalise conflict in such a delicate period for the country. It remains committed to tackling a Pandemic that will not relent,” CISL declared in a statement.

Parts of the political spectrum supporting Draghi’s unity government have also condemned the strike. They said the budget provided 8 billion euros ($9billion) in tax cuts, mainly aimed at the lower-earning.

Andrea Orlando, the Labour Minister and leader in the center-left Democratic Party (PD), stated: “Certainly this not a Reform that Penalizes Workers or Pensioners.”

Matteo Salvini (leader of rightist League party) was even more open, calling the strike call “inexplicable, irresponsible”.

Union chiefs have been meeting government officials on numerous occasions in order to talk about the budget. This was most recently Friday. Representatives from the CGIL, UIL, and other unions have asked for planned tax cuts to target the lowest-paid and more support to the poorer households to combat rising energy prices.

UIL and CGIL jointly stated, “The resources available at the stage… (should have) enabled a more effectively redistribution wealth.”

Both unions called for protests in four locations on December 16, but it’s not known if this strike would have a significant impact on the economy.

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