The Basic Trade Union (USB) has called a general strike in Italy for Friday, October 30. The call is directed at public- and private-sector employees, who are protesting the rising cost of living, the erosion of the purchasing power of wages and pensions, and rearmament policies.
Although the strike remains in effect, the transport sector faces restrictions. The Ministry of Transport has ordered the strike to be postponed for trains and transport in general. USB opposes the measure and has said the mobilization will go ahead, leaving open the possibility of disruption for travelers.
Të lidhura
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Which workers are expected to stop work?
The labor action will last all day and may involve public administration employees, service workers, private-sector employees and workers in other parts of the economy, depending on their participation in the protest.
Institutions and essential public services will be required to maintain the minimum service levels set by law.
Port workers will also take part in the strike, as part of an international mobilization against arms trafficking and the militarization of ports. According to USB, the initiative spans more than 100 ports in 17 countries.
What is expected to happen to transport?
Italy’s Transport Minister, Matteo Salvini, has ordered the strike in this sector to be postponed, citing the period during which strikes are restricted because of the commemoration of the dead.
USB describes the decision as unlawful and has said it will maintain the protest in the affected sectors as well, despite the risk of sanctions.
Meanwhile, official notices from transport companies indicate that services are expected to run on their usual schedules. However, disruptions or delays may occur in various parts of Italy.
Reasons for the protest
The discontent is mainly linked to the economic pressure facing workers and pensioners.
USB is calling for higher wages and the reinstatement of automatic wage indexation in line with the cost of living. The union is also seeking measures to curb the prices of basic food, energy, rents and mortgages.
The list of demands also includes a reduction in VAT on essential goods and measures to prevent price speculation.
Another aim of the mobilization is to oppose rearmament spending and what the union calls a war economy. According to USB, public money should be directed more toward healthcare, education, wages and pensions.
Protesters are also calling for jobs and industry to be protected, social protections to be strengthened, and punitive measures against protest participants to be dropped.
March in Rome
USB has organized a march in Rome that will set off at 09:00 from Piazzale Aldo Moro, in front of La Sapienza University, and continue toward Piazza dei Cinquecento, near Termini station. The union rally is expected to begin at 10:30.
The march may affect road traffic, while the Atac public transport network is expected to operate normally. Workers, pensioners, people on precarious contracts and students are expected to take part in the demonstration, alongside activists and various social organizations.
The march’s final location will be determined by the authorities during the day, depending on their assessment of public order and safety. Police are also monitoring activity on social media, where calls to participate have increased.
Other protests in Italy
Milan: 10:00, Piazza Duca d’Aosta.
Turin: 09:30, Piazza Palazzo di Città.
Bologna: 09:30, Piazza Maggiore.
Novara: 09:30, Piazza Cavour.
Brescia: 09:00, near the San Faustino metro station.
Trieste: 09:00, Gate 4 of the Punto Franco Nuovo port area.
Padua: 08:00, in front of the train station.
Bergamo: 17:00, Piazza Gaza, in the Porta Nuova area.
Organizers and participants should check local union announcements for times and addresses, as these details may change.
Residents and travelers are advised to check notices from transport companies and local authorities in advance, especially in areas where demonstrations are planned.
