Prosecutor probes wildcat airline strike

ROME, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The Rome prosecutors' office opened a formal probe Tuesday into a strike a day earlier by some Alitalia employees, which led to the cancellation of 150 flights.

ANSA, the Italian news agency, reported officials were seeking to determine whether the wildcat strike violated laws governing walkouts in the public service sector.

Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said Monday's strike violated the law "and can never be allowed to happen again."

"Such behavior is totally illegal and we will take action to guarantee citizens their rights, first among these the right to travel," Maroni said.

The unauthorized strike was called in defiance of union pleas for unity, ANSA reported.

Transport Minister Altero Matteoli almost immediately ordered the strikers back to work. But by that time, flights were already being delayed or canceled for lack of staff.