Travel chaos expected in Italy on Friday 20 June due to nationwide strike action.
Italy is braced for a 24-hour national general strike on 20 Friday June that is set to affect air, rail and local public transport services across the country.
Trains
The strike, which will involve both the public and private sector, is set to affect rail services from 21.00 on Thursday 19 June until 21.00 the next evening, Friday 20 June.
Cancellations and delays are expected for both long-distance Frecce and Intercity trains and regional trains.
Trenitalia reminds passengers that a minimum number of essential services are guaranteed during strikes on weekdays, from 06.00 to 09.00 and from 18.00 to 21.00, with more details available on its website.
Flights
Italy’s airline sector is also set to be impacted by 24-hour strike action on Friday 20 June, due to a walkout by airport workers including baggage handlers and ground staff as well as external companies.
This could result in delays or cancellation to flights to, from and in Italy on Friday, with passengers flying that day advised to check the status of their flight with their airline.
The website of Italy’s civil aviation authority ENAC contains information about strikes and the time slots – from 07.00 to 10.00 and 18.00 to 21.00 – when flights are guaranteed under Italian law.
Local public transport
Commuters in Rome, Milan and cities across Italy also face disruption to local public transport services on Friday due to a nationwide 24-hour strike.
The walkout will affect local bus, subway and tram services, with strike timetables varying from city to city.
Rome public transport services are set to be guaranteed from the start of service until 08.30 and from 17.00 to 20.00, according to the ATAC website.
Milan public transport provider ATM says it will guarantee services up until 08.45 and from 15.00 to 18.00.
Motorways and ferries
The strike also involves the motorway sector, leading to the closure of toll booths from 22.00 on Thursday 19 June until the same time on Friday 20 June, with delays and traffic congestion expected.
The general strike is also set to impact ferries which are to operate minimum services on Friday.
Reasons for the strike
Friday’s general strike has been called by grassroots trade unions including USB, CUB, SGB, FISI and FLAI.
The unions are asking for less funding for military spending and more investment in health, education, transport and safety in the workplace.
The protest also focuses on the demand for wage increases, contract renewal, reduction of working hours and opposition to privatisations and job precariousness.
For official information about public transport strikes in Italy see the transport ministry website.
Photo credit: Viacheslav Lopatin / Shutterstock.com.
