Flight Attendants of Alitalia Remove Their Uniforms in Protest Against Job Terminations

Dozens of former flight attendants of Alitalia, the Italian airline, removed their uniforms on Wednesday and remained in only their undergarments in a protest in central Rome against the company’s closure and layoffs. Alitalia, which has been suffering from financial troubles for decades, operated its last flight on October 14. A new airline, Ita, began operations the following day using some of Alitalia's aircraft. Ita also purchased the Alitalia brand but retained less than 3,000 of Alitalia's 10,000 employees. Approximately 50 former flight attendants stood in line at the top of Capitoline Hill in Rome, placing their company shoulder bags on the pavement, then slowly and simultaneously removed their coats, then their uniforms, and finally their skirts. Shortly thereafter, the flight attendants gathered their clothes and shoes while chanting in unison, "We are Alitalia!"