Italian unions are planning nationwide strikes Friday over wages and living costs, while a government order deferring one union’s transport action has set up a dispute over workers’ ability to walk out.
Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) called a general strike across public and private workplaces for Oct. 30, focusing on prices, pay and military spending. Confederazione COBAS, ADL COBAS, CLAP and SIAL COBAS also announced an all-day stoppage, but excluded transport from their call.
Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport issued Order 204/T on Oct. 27. The measure pauses USB’s action in aviation, city transit, maritime services and rail; it also covers taxi work, railway contractors, and road traffic and safety duties. Employees in those services are directed to work their assigned shifts.
The Commission for the Implementation of the Law on Strikes in Essential Public Services cited a protected period from Oct. 30 through Nov. 5, linked to travel to cemeteries for the commemoration of the dead. Its decision said the other unions’ notices avoided the transport services covered by the restriction, while USB’s call did not omit every one.
USB said Oct. 29 that it would continue its transport action and called the order illegitimate. Rail operator Trenord said train operations were expected to follow the normal timetable after the postponement.
The COBAS-led coalition wants wages and pensions to adjust automatically as prices rise, and public budgets to favor social services over arms. USB is also calling for the return of the “scala mobile,” an automatic wage-linking mechanism, and lower energy costs, rents and mortgage payments. The union says rising prices have reduced workers’ purchasing power and argues military spending takes resources from health care, education and other public services. The strike calls are scheduled for Oct. 30.
