Workers from stricken airliner Alitalia blocked a main road in central Rome on Wednesday as their union representatives met the industry minister to discuss the future of the cash-strapped carrier. Police in riot gear formed a line across the Via Veneto, where many of Rome’s top hotels are located, to prevent the protesters from heading further into the city. Unions urged the government on Tuesday to abandon negotiations with Brussels over a proposed business overhaul for the airline, saying the European Commission was favouring foreign carriers over the group. Rome has been in negotiation with the European Union’s executive arm for months over the plan to restructure the firm through the launch of a new, state-owned company called ITA.<br/>