EAM, the problem is that any 'new' operation (ie with €1bn state subsidy as the Italian government will allow the investment as 'tax deductible' to the 'investors') that takes over Alitalia staff will have the same union issues as before.
Many countries have, over the last 20 years or so, made political decisions to save face with their 'national' airline. Sabena, Swissair, Air France, KLM - even BA when they were privatised had a load of debt removed from the balance sheet to name a few; never mind the protectionism across the pond. The fact it has happened does not make it right. However, Alitalia has had more money 'invested' and thrown at than any other European airline; it is time to stop.
You question whether or not 18000 jobs should be allowed to go - the answer, in the short term, however painful, is YES. It is the ONLY way to solve the long standing problem. The current Alitalia could/should operate with between 7-8000 employees; it could have operated the same routes as at present, the same engineering subsiduary and the same ground handling but their current labour contracts are from the ark.
The thought that the new company will be saddled with 15000 of the current (and no doubt most expensive) employees with a reduced flight schedule and with all the inherent inefficiencies leads to just one conclusion.
Unless any 'new' company can start from day 1 with completely new employment contracts and 2008 staffing levels, comparable with levels in the more efficient operators, then the 'new' airline is doomed. In the time frames being talked about this is highly unlikely.
As for your comment that 'anyone' can start operating internally within Italy - err, no. Just try it. Just try, as a non-Italian company, getting a licence to offer ground handling, or catering, or engineering services; never mind trying to have a foreign owned airline operating internally within Italy. The red tape and state induced paralysis is an art form.
Running a major company requires major decisions; sadly the Italian management will continue to wave their arms around and all talk at the same time but get absolutely NOTHING done.
Take the short term pain to get a long term solution.
It won't happen because of the Italian macho - but it should happen.
GH