Italy’s regional administrative court (TAR) of Lazio has overturned a government order reducing a planned 24-hour transport strike to just four hours. The ruling, issued on Thursday afternoon, favours the USB union, which had appealed against the restriction.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, also Italy’s deputy premier, had sought to limit the strike through an ordinance issued earlier this week. However, the court found no adequate justification for the order, especially in the absence of a recommendation from the country’s strike watchdog. It also noted that the strike would not interfere with time slots reserved for commuter services.
Union Victory Amid Mounting Tensions
The USB union, which had described Salvini’s move as an attack on workers’ rights, celebrated the ruling as a win for democracy and labour. “This time the victory is ours: workers’ rights and democracy have won against the arrogance of power,” USB declared in a social media post following the court’s decision.
The strike, a protest against what the union describes as a “dramatic worsening of working conditions,” will now proceed as originally planned.
Salvini’s Response
Salvini, who announced plans to propose new strike regulations at the next cabinet meeting, reacted strongly to the ruling. “We have done everything possible to defend the right to mobility of Italians,” Salvini posted on X, adding: “For the umpteenth Friday of chaos and inconvenience, citizens can thank a judge of the Lazio administrative court.”
This marks the second time in recent weeks that the TAR has ruled on strike-related disputes. In November, the same court upheld a government order limiting the scope of a national transport strike linked to protests against the 2025 budget.
Strike Details: What to Expect
The 24-hour transport strike began at 21.00 on Thursday, 12 December, and will end at the same time on Friday, 13 December. It will impact various forms of transport nationwide, including long-distance, regional, and local rail services operated by Trenitalia and Italo. Their websites provide information on guaranteed services during the stoppage.
The strike will extend beyond public transport to affect the healthcare and education sectors. In cities like Rome and Milan, public transport services will operate only during designated commuter time slots.
- Rome: ATAC services will be disrupted from 08.30 to 17.00 and again from 20.00 until the end of service.
- Milan: ATM services will be affected from 08.45 to 15.00 and from 18.00 until the end of service.
While the strike will include trains, buses, metro systems, taxis, and ferries, the airline sector will remain unaffected. They are striking on Sunday 15th December.
For updates, travellers are advised to check the websites of transport operators and local authorities.
The strike is running on the same day as a General Strike across Italy.
