sindacato

Sindacato is the Italian term for a trade union, an organized association of workers that seeks to defend and advance members’ interests in the workplace. In Italy, sindacati operate at local, regional, and national levels and are typically affiliated with larger confederations such as CGIL, CISL, and UIL.

These confederations coordinate sector-wide negotiations and provide services to affiliates, including legal assistance, training, and representation in labor-relations bodies. The core functions of a sindacato include negotiating wages and working conditions through collective agreements, representing workers in disputes with employers, and participating in social dialogue with government and employers’ associations. Unions may organize strikes and other actions within legal limits.

Legal framework: The Italian Constitution guarantees freedom of association, and workers may join or leave a sindacato; dues are usually collected with the worker’s consent. Union representation is an important element of Italy’s industrial relations system, influencing labor law and social policy through dialogue among workers, employers, and the state.

Today, sindacati remain influential in many sectors, although union density and political dynamics have evolved. The term sindacato can refer to a local or national union or to unions collectively as a system of worker representation.