A 24-hour general strike will proceed on Friday, 13 December 2024, although the related transport strike has been reduced to just four hours. The decision comes after an order from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, as confirmed by Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) on Wednesday.
The rail workers’ protest will run from 9 am to 1 pm, potentially impacting train services operated by Trenitalia, Frecce, Intercity, and Trenitalia Regional trains. The effects may include cancellations and delays, with disruptions likely both during and after the strike’s official end.
FS urges passengers to plan ahead and check updated service information via:
- The Trenitalia App
- The Infomobility section of trenitalia.com
- Social media and web channels of FS Italiane
- The toll-free number 800 89 20 21
- Ticket offices, railway station assistance desks, self-service kiosks, and affiliated travel agencies
While the Ministry has limited the strike to four hours, the grass-roots union federation USB has declared it will disregard this order. USB maintains that the strike will continue for the full 24 hours as originally planned.
Broad Impact Expected
The shortened strike will affect both long-distance and local rail services, including Italo trains. Additionally, the general 24-hour strike will impact other sectors beyond transportation, including healthcare, education, and public transport services such as taxis.
Non-emergency healthcare services, including diagnostic tests, are expected to face cancellations, while schools could see disruptions to cleaning, catering, and bus services.
Matteo Salvini Proposes New Strike Regulations
Speaking ahead of these disruptions, Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini stated his intention to introduce new rules on strikes at the next cabinet meeting.
Salvini commented: “The right to strike belongs to everyone, it is in the Constitution, but it will be appropriate to review the legislation.” He added that adjustments would aim to balance the rights of workers and the needs of public services.
The Transport Minister also noted the frequency of strikes, stating: “If you have to go on strike every day, because since this government took office we have reached a thousand strikes, it means that the very instrument of the strike no longer works.”
With the unions pressing ahead with their demands and government officials pushing legislative change, this ongoing conflict reflects the tension between workers’ rights, government oversight, and the demand for reliable public services.
