Air deal fails to avert Italy strike

Alitalia cancelled flights before the deal was reached with unions

ROME, Italy -- Passengers flying with Italian airline Alitalia have seen their travel plans disrupted despite agreement on contracts between unions and the government.

More than 100 flights were cancelled and a further 209 were rescheduled on Wednesday despite a breakthrough in talks with the bulk of the 14 unions the previous evening.

Italy's flag carrier said it was forced to cancel 64 domestic and 42 international routes as the deal came too late in the day to take remedial action.

Air France cancelled three flights while Meridiana scratched eight journeys.

A deal had been struck between 72 percent of the unions representing air traffic controllers and government officials.

MORE STORIES • Strike brings Europe travel chaos    RESOURCES Strike action: When and where?    EXTRA INFORMATION Alitalia customer helplines:  +39 06 65 641 / 642 / 643

Seven unions failed to sign the deal, two of which, Cisal and Cila, vowed to continue their strike.

An Alitalia spokesman told CNN: "One single air traffic controller striking can stop an entire tower from working."

The industrial action began at noon (1000 GMT) and is set to last until 4 p.m. (1400 GMT).

The dispute had been over whether previous contracts had been honoured by employers involving such issues as promotions and welfare provisions.

CNN's Alessio Vinci said the two sides had agreed a package which clarified what would be honoured.

The strike was separate from an ongoing dispute between air traffic controllers and the European Union over plans to create a so-called "single sky" policy.(What is a single sky?)

A strike last Wednesday affected almost 10,000 travellers when Alitalia was forced to cancel 50 of its 800 daily connections.

Industrial action is set to last throughout Italy's summer.

In addition to the air traffic controllers' action, pilots with Alitalia have said they will not fly for four hours on Friday to protest against pay and conditions.

Also, all air transport workers have threatened to strike for four hours on July 12 and July 19.

Italy's aviation strikes are just part of wider industrial action affecting the transport system.

Last Friday, public transport workers in cities throughout Italy went on strike for eight hours as part of a contract dispute and are due to follow up with a second, four-hour strike on July 11.

Rail workers will walk out for four hours on July 5 as part of protests against government plans to alter workers' rights.

As well as taking part in the July 5 work stoppage, unions representing ferry and other maritime workers plan to strike for half a day on July 8 against government proposals to make it easier to hire and fire workers.