Trains, buses and metro services across Italy face widespread disruption as unions call a 24-hour general strike.
Italy faces significant disruption to public transport on Friday 29 May after a coalition of trade unions called a 24-hour general strike.
The stoppage on Friday has been proclaimed by CUB, SGB (Sindacato Generale di Base), ADL Varese, SI Cobas and USI Cit, with the railway workers’ walkout beginning slightly earlier.
Trains
From 21.00 on Thursday 28 May until 21.00 on Friday 29 May, a strike has been called affecting staff of the Gruppo FS Italiane, Italo and Trenord.
The action covers high-speed, long-distance and regional rail trains and may “may lead to changes to services before and after its start”, according to a statement by Gruppo FS Italiane.
The strike involves staff of Trenitalia, Trenitalia Tper and Trenord. Some trains are guaranteed even during a strike under Italian law; passengers are advised to check the list of protected services on the Trenitalia website before travelling.
Rome
In Rome, the strike affects the entire ATAC network and affiliated bus services operated by subcontracted companies. Services will be guaranteed during the legally protected windows: from the start of service until 08.29 and from 17.00 until 19.59.
Outside those hours, the entire surface and metro network may be suspended. During the night of 28-29 May, certain night bus lines are not guaranteed; during the night of 29-30 May, regular night bus lines (those beginning with “N”) will run normally.
Ticket offices at stations may be closed during the strike, though online ticket sales will continue uninterrupted and passengers may pay on board or at station machines by card.
Milan
ATM services in Milan may not be guaranteed between 08.45 and 15.00 and after 18.00 until the end of service. The Como–Brunate funicular may be affected between 08.30 and 16.30 and after 19.30.
Why the strike?
The unions have called the strike against the war and rising military expenditure; against workplace exploitation, precarious employment and inadequate pay in the public and private sectors; against the ongoing situation in Gaza and the supply of arms to Israel; against the absence of social policies, including on the housing emergency; against repressive security decrees; against restrictions on the right to strike; against the lack of industrial policy; and against workplace deaths.
Travellers are advised to check the websites of their local transport operator and Trenitalia for updated information on guaranteed services before travelling on Friday. For the official strike calendar see the transport ministry website.
Photo credit: Maurizio Abbate / Shutterstock.com
