Budget plan provokes strike in Italy

ROME, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Trade unions in Italy went on strike Monday to protest a $39 billion austerity budget amendment they say leans too heavily on the poor.

The budget package assembled by Prime Minster Mario Monti has passed in Italy's House and is headed for a committee review before being put to a vote in the Senate, which is expected by Dec. 23, ANSA reported.

The package of spending cuts and tax increasesis expected to pass.

The prime minister has said that without the new spending plan the government could not pay, among other things, pensions and salaries, ANSA reported.