Italian trade unions FenealUil, Filca-Cisl, and Fillea-Cgil on 8 May have successfully signed a renewed national collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the employers’ association Federbeton, covering over 8,000 workers in the cement, lime, and gypsum sector. The new agreement, which takes effect on January 1, 2025 and runs until December 31, 2027, replaces the previous CBA that expired at the end of 2024.

The three trade unions expressed strong satisfaction with the results of the negotiation, highlighting significant gains in both economic and regulatory provisions aimed at strengthening workers' rights and protections.

Economic gains

The new agreement ensures a total wage increase of €175 (based on parameter 140) across its three-year duration. This follows a €120 adjustment granted in December 2024 to compensate for ex post inflation, bringing the total increase to €295.

The pay rise will be distributed in three phases:

• €60 on October 1, 2025
• €60 on October 1, 2026
• €55 on October 1, 2027
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Other economic highlights include:

• Seniority Bonus: Starting in 2027, all blue-collar workers with 23 years of service will receive an additional month’s pay. The benefit will also apply to those who retire between 2025 and 2026 or who take early retirement, as well as to the heirs of deceased workers who meet the eligibility criteria.
• Workwear Washing Allowance: €10 gross per month starting January 1, 2027.
• Pay Guarantee Element: Raised to €300 for companies not engaging in second-level bargaining (up from €170).
• Canteen Allowance: Increased by €2 from January 1, 2026, with full meal costs to be borne by employers starting the same date.
• Shift Allowance: Increased from 6% to 7% for the first and second shifts.
• Holiday Rest Time: Four hours of compensatory rest granted to shift workers on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.
• Pension Contributions: Employer contributions to the Concreto Pension Fund will rise by 0.30% (phased in at 0.15% in July 2026 and another 0.15% in July 2027).
• Supplementary Health Fund: An additional €3 monthly contribution to the Altea Fund starting January 2026.

Regulatory improvements

The agreement also delivers key advancements in workplace rights and protections, including:

• Sick Leave: Fully paid sick leave extended from 8 to 10 months; partially paid leave increased from 4 to 6 months.
• Bereavement Leave: Extended to every incident involving a first-degree relative, plus one additional day for relatives-in-law.
• Legal Support: Legal and civil assistance now guaranteed for all workers in the course of their duties.
• Serious Illness: Job retention period extended to 24 months for workers undergoing life-saving treatments such as oncology or dialysis.
• Parental Leave: Increased to 80% pay for the first five months; same-sex couples now included.
• Work Classification Review: A joint commission will convene on September 16 to assess fair remuneration based on workers’ duties, with a proposal expected six months before the CBA’s expiration.
• Family Emergency Leave: Extended from 12 to 18 months and made available to all companies under the CBA.
• Anti-Violence Commitment: A joint declaration to combat violence against women, promoting cultural change within the male-dominated sector.
• Bilateral Committee Agenda: Will now also address gender reporting, artificial intelligence usage, and sustainability practices.

Trade unions attribute the success of the negotiation to a longstanding and constructive relationship with Federbeton, characterised by modern and collaborative industrial relations. Workplace assemblies will commence in the coming days to present and ratify the new agreement.