Italian workers in at least two U.S. military bases were caught off guard when they received an email demanding that they list five key accomplishments from the previous week. The message, tied to Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, sparked outrage among union representatives who say the billionaire's management style clashes with Italy's labor protections.
The New York Times reported that the email, which had already stirred controversy among federal employees in the U.S., was forwarded to Italian civilian workers at Aviano Air Base, home to the U.S. Air Force's 31st Fighter Wing and at least one other base in Italy, in the city of Vicenza. Their response was confusion, frustration, and a bit of humor.
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"We Are in Italy Here"
In Italy, labor rights are deeply entrenched, with strong unions and strict protections against arbitrary job cuts. Roberto Del Savio, a union representative at Aviano, said that Musk's directives wouldn't be received the same way they might be in the U.S.
"We are in Italy here," he told the Times. "There are precise rules, and thank God for that."
Some employees responded to the email in jest. One reportedly wrote: "I was slicing pizza, another says something else." Others were simply puzzled by the demand, questioning whether Musk believed he had the authority to impose his policies beyond the U.S.
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Union Pushback and a Growing Concern
Italy hosts the Aviano Air Base, employing more than 4,000 local civilians in roles ranging from cooks and waiters to engineers and mechanics. These workers are unionized and protected under Italian labor laws, which are far stricter than those in the U.S.
Pierpaolo Bombardieri, head of the Italian Uil union, was quick to push back on the email, calling it "unacceptable" and the method "aberrant."
"Ours is a system built on democracy, safeguards, and protections provided by contracts that must be respected," Bombardieri told the Times.
The paper also noted that Italian unions have written to both the Italian government and the U.S. Embassy demanding an explanation. Some are considering protests or strikes if clearer answers aren't provided.
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Musk Doubles Down
While Italian employees were left scratching their heads, Musk showed no signs of backing down. After facing resistance from some federal agencies in the U.S., he dismissed concerns about the email request, calling it "utterly trivial."
"The standard for passing the test was to type some words and press send," Musk posted on X. "Yet so many failed even that inane test, urged on in some cases by their managers."
He went further, warning that failure to comply a second time could result in termination, though union protections in Italy make such threats largely unenforceable.
Fears of Job Cuts and a Hiring Freeze
The email isn't the only concern for Italian workers. Unions are also alarmed by recent cost-cutting measures at the base, including a hiring freeze and a freeze on work credit cards used for purchasing equipment.
At Aviano, 44 redundancies were initially announced in September before being reduced to 30 after negotiations. Now, unions worry that Musk's push for efficiency, coupled with Trump's broader government downsizing, could mean more layoffs in the near future.
"Workers are worried," Del Savio told Reuters. "So far, I have not seen any written document pointing to U.S. disengagement from the site, but there are elements that make us wonder."
For now, it seems that Italian employees are only required to answer the email if it is sent directly from the U.S. government, not if it's forwarded by superiors. But, uncertainty remains over whether future directives will come straight from Washington.
The standoff underscores the stark contrast between Musk's approach to management—where job security is tied to relentless productivity—and Italy's deeply ingrained labor protections.
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