On Friday, March 21, 2025, a strike for public transport services is set to take place across Genoa and various other cities in Liguria, as independent unions voice their displeasure over ongoing contract negotiations. The UGL Autoferro union has organized a four-hour strike, alongside support from other autonomous labor organizations, including Cub Trasporti, Sgb, Cobas Lavoro privato, and Adl Cobas.
This strike comes in the wake of contract negotiations that have stalled after the national public transport workers' contract expired at the end of 2023. Approximately 110,000 workers are affected by this situation, causing significant unrest among staff. While confederate unions have reached an agreement for the renewal of the collective national transport service contract through the 2024/2026 period, many independent unions remain unsatisfied with the agreement.
The dissatisfaction stems from claims that the new deal configuration allows for little to no real raise, with UGL leaders criticizing the terms as "a losing proposition" and describing the increment as "ridiculous." This sentiment echoes throughout other independent unions that feel the voices of workers have not been adequately represented in the negotiating process.
The scheduled strike in Genoa will see operational disruptions for four hours, precisely from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM local time for urban transport personnel, while provincial service workers will strike from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM for ticketing staff, and from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM for all other personnel.
Last September, during a similar four-hour strike organized by UGL Autoferro, participation rates reflected widespread dissatisfaction among the workforce, as 24.82% of urban operators, 19.27% of provincial operators, and 12.50% of traveling personnel from the Ferrovia Genova Casella joined the protest. In contrast, no metro drivers participated in that earlier strike, raising questions about solidarity among different public transport sectors.
The repercussions of the strike extend beyond Genoa itself, with similar disruptions anticipated in larger cities such as Milan and Rome. Local commuters are advised to prepare for delays and cancellations, with officials stressing the importance of seeking alternative transportation methods during the strike duration.
While labor rights and contract negotiations take center stage in this unfolding situation, sentiment on social media and across communities suggests a divided opinion on the necessity of this strike. Some commuters express frustration over regular transport disruptions, while others support the workers' cause, advocating for fair negotiation processes.
As the day of the strike approaches, transport authorities are working diligently to inform the public about which services will operate and which will face interruption. The aim is to minimize confusion and ensure that commuters can plan their journeys with as much information as possible.
Regardless of the outcome of this strike, the dissatisfaction among workers points toward larger systemic issues in public transportation labor practices, underlining the need for negotiations that adequately consider the voices and needs of all employees in the sector. The implications of these labor actions are likely to resonate throughout other regions, contributing to a growing national conversation about workers' rights and compensation in Italy's public transport systems.
As Genoa braces itself for this strike, the real question remains: will this action lead to the significant changes that workers are demanding, or will it simply highlight a pressing issue in need of further attention? With ongoing negotiations still in play, only time will tell what the future holds for public transport in Italy.
