People travelling to, from or across Italy may face disruption on Friday, March 7th and Saturday, March 8th due to a 24-hour general strike that’s set to affect the country’s rail and air transport services, as well as the education and healthcare sectors.
The walkout, which was planned to coincide with International Women’s Day, was called by the Usi-Cit, Slai-Cobas, Cub, Usb and Adl Cobas/Cla unions in protest against a range of issues including gender-based violence and low wages.
The demonstration was expected to affect air, train and motorway travel, as well as some healthcare and education services across the public and private sectors. Local public transport was not expected to be affected.
The train strike was planned to start first, with a 24-hour walkout by the country’s rail workers set to unfold from 9pm on Friday, March 7th, until 9pm on March 8th.
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The train strike was expected to be followed by a protest by motorway toll booth workers from 10pm on Friday until 10pm on Saturday.
For all other sectors, including air travel, the strike was set to run for 24 hours starting from midnight on March 8th.
Trains
The protest was expected to affect all types of rail travel, from long-distance to regional and local services, from 9pm on Friday to 9pm on Saturday.
Services operated by the FS Group, which includes Trenitalia, Trenitalia Tper and Trenord, “may experience cancellations or changes” for the duration the strike, according to a statement on the website of state operator Trenitalia.
“Service variations” may occur “both before [the strike’s] start and after its end,” it added.
READ ALSO: Can I get a refund in Italy if my train is cancelled because of strikes?
The operator said it would guarantee the operation of a number of essential long-distance services during the strike. These are available here.
Some regional train services are guaranteed from 7am-10am and 6pm-9pm on weekends; these can be found by searching the Trenitalia website by region.
Passengers can request a refund up until their booked departure time for Intercity and Frecce trains, and up until midnight on the day before the strike for regional trains, Trenitalia said.
More information can be found on the Infomobilità section of the Trenitalia website or mobile app, or by calling the toll-free number 800 89 20 21.
Trenord, which operates a number of regional trains in the Lombardy region, including connections to and from Milan’s Malpensa Airport, said the walkout may have “repercussions” on regional, suburban, airport and long-distance services.
The operator said it would provide essential services from 6am to 9am and from 6pm to 9pm on Saturday. You can see a list of guaranteed services here.
Trains scheduled to depart before 9pm on Friday and arrive at their final destination by 10pm would also leave as planned, Trenord said.
Staff at private long-distance operator Italo were also expected to participate in the walkout, according to state-owned railway infrastructure manager Rete Ferroviaria Italiana.
Italo did not release any statement regarding the strike. People meant to travel with the operator over the weekend were advised to contact the company’s support centre at 892 020 (toll number).
Trains at Milan’s Cadorna train station on September 20, 2024. (Photo by Gabriel BOUYS / AFP)Air travel
People flying to, from or across Italy may face flight delays or cancellations on Saturday.
Air transport workers, including airline staff, are expected to take part in a 24-hour walkout starting one minute after midnight on March 8th, according to the transport ministry’s strike calendar.
Italy’s civil aviation authority (ENAC) confirmed on its website that flights scheduled between 7am-10am and 6pm-9pm were protected by law and should go ahead as normal on the Saturday.
No airline had announced flight cancellations as of Saturday morning. Passengers were advised to contact their airline to confirm the status of their flight.
What to do if your flight is cancelled
If you’re flying to, from or within the EU, you have the right to either a refund or rebooking, and the airline must always offer you the choice.
If you’re booked onto a later flight and have to wait for more than two hours, you’re entitled to assistance such as food and drink.
READ ALSO: What are my rights in Italy if a flight is cancelled or delayed?
And in the case of cancellations at short notice you may also be able to claim compensation.
Find full details here.
Motorways
Motorway toll booth workers were expected to strike from 10pm on Friday until 10pm on Saturday.
Booths normally manned by striking workers will be closed and drivers directed towards lanes with automatic payment methods.
Motorists should be prepared for possible bottlenecks, increased traffic and possible delays to their journey.
Health and education
Scheduled appointments, diagnostic tests and non-emergency services at both public and private hospitals and clinics around the country may be subject to changes or cancellations on Saturday as medical staff take part in a 24-hour walkout.
Emergency services including emergency surgery, intensive care, ambulance services, and ER operations won’t be affected by the protest.
According to a statement published by Italy’s education ministry, public and private school and university staff were also expected to participate in the strike.
As the walkout was planned for Saturday, kindergartens and primary schools were unlikely to be affected; however, universities and high schools that open on Saturdays could experience disruption.
Keep up with the latest updates in The Local’s strike news section.