Abstract

In this paper the Author analyses the evolution of case law on the active legitimation to claim as stated by the article 28 Act n. 300/1970 (the so called "Statuto dei lavoratori"), with particular regard to the selective standard of "nationality". Since 1990, the judges have progressively abandoned the traditional interpretation of "nationality" criterium in order to embrace a new and more elastic one, in accordance with the evolution of the Italian trade-union context. Latest case law can be positively considered: on the one hand it seems consistent with the trade-unions new organizational patterns and, on the other hand, it comes out as completely conforming to the principle fixed by the article 39 paragraph 1, Cost., which states the freedom of trade-union organization.