Daniela Fumarola officially took the helm of the Italian trade union CISL, becoming the new Secretary General with overwhelming support—188 votes out of 191 from the General Council meeting held in Rome. This leadership transition marks both continuity and evolution within the organization, following her predecessor Luigi Sbarra, who stepped down due to age limits.
Fumarola, 58, who hails from Taranto, boasts a degree in Sociological Sciences from the Università Cattolica of Milan. She launched her career with CISL back in 1987, initially joining the federation for agricultural workers. Throughout her career, she has held various roles of increasing responsibility, including heading the Taranto chapter of CISL and eventually ascending to the national confederation's secretariat.
One of the pivotal battles of her career includes tackling irregular labor and spearheading the environmental reclamation of the former Ilva steelworks site. Her pragmatic, reformist outlook positions her well for the challenges the labor movement faces today.
Fumarola wasted no time outlining the key priorities for her term. Her inaugural speech emphasized the need for increased social dialogue and shared responsibilities among the union, enterprises, and government institutions. “We have to move past the confrontation between capital and labor,” she asserted, calling for greater worker participation at all levels of management and business outcomes.
With significant financial backing from the recent budget law aimed at fostering this transformation, Fumarola insisted on the urgency of rethinking active labor policies, stressing the importance of supporting continuous professional development and ensuring job stability through skill development resolutions.
Rejecting criticism targeted at the Jobs Act, she called for innovative solutions over retrogressive measures, highlighting the necessity of adapting to the modern workforce needs instead of reverting to outdated systems.
During her address, Fumarola firmly proposed maintaining CISL’s autonomy from political affiliations. Acknowledging the previous administrations' efforts for dialogue, she emphasized, “Corresponsibility is the only key access to the future. Our country needs dialogue, concord, and cohesion.” She made it clear the CISL will not shy away from confrontation when needed, but it will do so responsibly, steering clear of ideological extremes.
The newly minted leader sets out to uphold the gains made under Sbarra’s leadership, continuing to advocate for modernized, participatory labor policies. Her agenda includes not only defending wages and pension rights but also engaging with the pressing matters of fiscal reform and workplace safety.
Fumarola reiterated the notion of safety at work as her top priority. “Work must first and foremost be safe to be dignified,” she declared, underscoring the need for a national strategy against exploitation in labor sectors, particularly agriculture and construction.
The calls to action from Fumarola highlight her vision for the union as one capable of confronting key societal transformations with pragmatism and responsibility, aiming to engender growth and sustainability within the labor sector.
The importance of her election was acknowledged by others as well. Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy region, remarked on the pivotal role the CISL plays for workers and the productive fabric of the region, praising Fumarola’s election as a significant step forward. He also expressed gratitude toward Sbarra for his leadership, which has solidified the organization's status as a credible and responsible interlocutor.
With these new initiatives and challenges on the horizon, Fumarola embarks on her leadership with the promise of reform, unity, and innovative strategies aimed at empowering the workers of Italy, ensuring their rights and needs are prioritized as the labor market continues to evolve.