by InTrieste
In a reaction to a directive from Italy’s transport minister, Matteo Salvini, deemed by some as “anti-strike,” trade unions have opted to reschedule a slated public transport strike initially set for Monday, November 27. The revised strike is now slated for Friday, December 15, as unions seek to counter Salvini’s move to cut the original 24-hour strike to a mere four hours.
This comes on the heels of Salvini’s recent use of an injunction to limit the reach of a nationwide general strike, a tactic that has sparked discontent among unions. Salvini, emphasizing the “sacrosanct” right to strike in a statement released last Friday on the transport ministry website, underscored his commitment to minimizing disruptions for citizens, especially given the frequent strikes impacting the country’s transport sector.
Salvini highlighted the disruptive timing of many strikes, occurring either on the cusp of the weekend or at the onset of the workweek. The unions, however, have pushed back against Salvini’s maneuver, characterizing it as anticipated but nonetheless condemning the gravity of the minister’s decision.
In a joint statement on Saturday, the unions affirmed their rejection of what they deemed an “illegitimate reduction” and announced their intention to challenge the anti-strike minister on December 15.
The unions’ motivations for the strike encompass demands for improved pay, enhanced working conditions, increased workplace safety, and opposition to privatization. For official updates on public transport strikes in Italy, consult the transport ministry website.
The local transportation website states that even though the strike has been moved, there might be “possible inconveniences in the Trieste area”.
