ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the meaning and the effective significance of to-day's regionalism for the Italian trade unions, not only with regard to the great national confederations but also with regard to the few local experiences of regionalist and autonomist trade unions. The historical divisions between North and South, have never been examined from the perspective of the cultural or socio-economic 'differences' between the various trade unionisms, even though, as everyone knew, these differences existed and were important. Paradoxically, the success of the Italian economy-observed with amazement by other countries-has demonstrated both the great peculiarities of Italian development and its permanent internal diversity. The transformations took place within a strictly centralist perspective, with major agreements between the government and the social partners. Val d'Aosta enjoys regional autonomy and has special statutes. Like Alto Adige and Val d'Aosta, Sardinia enjoys the privilege of a special statute granting strong political and legislative autonomy.
