by InTrieste
A national general strike scheduled in Italy on Friday 20 October is to disrupt the country’s education, health and transport sectors, including rail and air travel.
The 24-hour strike has been called by numerous trade unions and will affect services provided by both the public and private sector.
Unions say the reasons for the nationwide strike include calls for renewal of contracts, reduction of working hours and a freeze on the government’s military spending, among other demands.
The industrial action is set to disrupt local public transport networks in Rome, Milan and other Italian cities on Friday, as well as some high-speed and regional train services.
Local public transport
In Trieste strike will affect bus services, with services guaranteed up until 08.30 and from 17.00-20.00. Please check the https://tplfvg.it/en/ website for official information.
Rail travel
The strike will affect rail services provided by Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord, with disruption expected between 21.00 on Thursday 19 October and 21.00 on Friday 20 October.
Most rail services on Friday are guaranteed from 06.00-09.00 and 18.00-21.00, with full information available on the companies’ websites.
Air travel
The national strike also involves air travel, with some flights at risk of delays and cancelations due to a 24-hour protest scheduled from 00.01 to 00.59 on Friday.
ITA Airways says it has been forced to canceled 20 domestic flights on Friday as a result of the strike.
The Italian civil aviation authority ENAC reminds air travelers that during strikes in Italy flights are guaranteed from 07.00-10.00 and 18.00-21.00.
The ENAC website also contains a list of international and domestic flights that are guaranteed to take off on Friday.
The strike could also affect kindergartens, schools, hospitals and health facilities, putting the opening of some schools at risk.
For official information about upcoming strikes in Italy see the transport ministry website.
