Trade union organizations have staunchly advocated for the rights of education staff working abroad to be protected by collective bargaining rules, in the same way as staff working within Italy’s national territory. This request was made during a recent series of meetings between school trade unions and the Labour Relations Agency (Aran), as part of the negotiations for renewal of the National Collective Bargaining Agreement (CCNL) 2022/2024 for teachers and ATA staff in Italian schools and cultural institutions abroad. Union of Italian Workers-Teachers (Uil Scuola Rua) reasserted proposals dating back to the beginning of the negotiation process, which demanded the full return to collective bargaining concerning professional mobility abroad and the regulation of labour relations for staff working overseas.
The trade unions emphasized the disparity in treatment stemming from the application of Legislative Decree no. 64/2017, which, along with divergent interpretations and recent court rulings, has created further inconsistencies. These rulings have affirmed the continued relevance of certain contractual principles, including those that govern the posting abroad as regulated by the CCNL.
There were also substantial proposed modifications relating to union relations, levels of supplemental bargaining, participation and commitments tied to the implementation of school autonomy and projects to improve education provision. However, the Aran’s response to these aspects was negative, maintaining that collective bargaining provisions have been superseded by Law no. 107/2015 and Legislative Decree no. 64/2017. These regulations leave the MAECI responsible for regulating employment relationships, effectively denying the validity of protections and union prerogatives provided by the CCNL.
In conclusion, the trade unions resolutely advocated for the rights of education staff overseas to be safeguarded by collective bargaining rules, comparable to staff working within Italy’s national territory.
