Rome, 23 February 2026 – A date set to mark a turning point for the Local Government Functions Area. At ARAN, the final text of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CCNL) for the Local Government Functions Area 2022–2024 was formally signed, affecting more than 15,000 professionals, including executives and secretaries.
This represents a historic achievement not only for the economic and regulatory provisions secured, but also for the exceptional speed of the process: the agreement obtained approval from the Government and the Court of Auditors in record time, standing out for an unprecedented level of bureaucratic efficiency in the public sector landscape.
The undisputed leading actor in this bargaining round was the DIRETS trade union, which steered a complex negotiation with determination and strategic vision, successfully setting a clear direction: strengthening the fixed components of remuneration, ensuring economic stability and the structural enhancement of professional roles.
In a context initially marked by scaled-back proposals, the DIRETS delegation managed to overturn the negotiating framework, transforming a difficult negotiation into a concrete and lasting result.
Among the most significant outcomes is the realignment of Gross Annual Salary (GAS), with an increase in position-based pay amounting to €137.88 per month—well above the €90 initially proposed by ARAN.
This increase is not merely numerical, but also symbolic: it achieves parity in economic treatment with the Central Government Functions Area, overcoming a disparity that for years had penalized executives and secretaries of local authorities. It represents tangible recognition of the value, responsibility, and managerial complexity these professionals face.
The political core of the DIRETS strategy was reflected in a clear choice: allocating the majority of resources to the fixed portion of remuneration.
- 70% of resources to executives’ Gross Annual Salary
- 88% to Technical and Administrative Staff (PTA)
- 86% to Secretaries
This decision strengthens income certainty, protects continuity of earnings, and consolidates future pension treatment. In an era marked by instability and fragmentation, this choice stands as a clear commitment to economic security and professional dignity.
The signing of the agreement is not an endpoint, but the beginning of a new phase. DIRETS has announced the immediate launch of a Contractual Follow-up Process to address crucial and still unresolved issues, including:
- the regulation of disciplinary dismissal;
- the strengthening of legal protection and representation.
These are key issues to ensure adequate safeguards for those operating on the front line, assuming decisive responsibilities for the effective functioning of local administrations.
The 2022–2024 CCNL is not merely a contract: it is a signal of renewed attention toward a leadership class that supports local communities on a daily basis, ensures services to citizens, and governs complex processes within an ever-evolving regulatory framework.
The signature of 23 February 2026 establishes a clear principle: the quality of public administration depends on the recognition and enhancement of its senior professionals.
With this agreement, a new chapter opens for the Local Government Functions Area—a chapter marked by greater equity, stability, and respect. A chapter built with determination, vision, and responsibility.
