Alitalia unions demand talks on rescue plan

ROME, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Bankrupt Alitalia's AZPI.MI nine major unions on Tuesday said they were willing to negotiate on the latest plan to salvage the airline but needed to be convinced of the plan's merits before discussing job losses.

Winning union backing is crucial for the rescue plan led by a group of Italian investors who plan to buy the best parts of the struggling airline which filed for bankruptcy on Friday.

The investor group, led by Piaggio (PIA.MI) CEO Roberto Colaninno, formally submitted a bid for certain Alitalia assets on Monday, sources familiar with the matter have said.

"Agreement on the industrial themes is a prerequisite for starting talks over the eventual job losses," the unions said in a statement, a day after Italy's government kicked off talks to win their backing for the plan.

Italy's government has warned the unions -- who scuppered a sale to Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA) earlier this year -- that they have no choice but to get on board with the rescue plan, with liquidation of the airline the only other option. (Editing by David Holmes)