Metalworkers across Italy are gearing up for a significant national strike on March 28, 2025, demanding the renewal of their collective labor agreement and better working conditions. The strike, organized by the unions Fim, Fiom, and Uilm, follows a series of protests that began on March 26 in cities like Florence, Prato, Pistoia, and Sardinia, where workers demonstrated their dissatisfaction with stalled negotiations.
According to union representatives, the initial strikes on March 26 saw "high participation" among workers, reflecting their frustration over the lack of progress in talks with employers Federmeccanica and Assistal. The unions have criticized the employers' approach as "provocative" and disrespectful to the workforce, which has been vocal about its needs for improved wages and job security.
The upcoming national strike is set to last for eight hours and will include regional and provincial demonstrations across the country. Major events are planned in cities such as Turin, Reggio Emilia, and Naples, where union leaders will address crowds to emphasize the importance of their demands. The Turin demonstration will commence at 9:00 AM from Piazza Arbarello and will conclude at the Unione Industriali Torino headquarters, featuring speeches from prominent union figures including Ferdinando Uliano, the general secretary of Fim.
In Reggio Emilia, Michele De Palma, the general secretary of Fiom-Cgil, will conclude the local event, while Rocco Palombella of Uilm-Uil will wrap up the rally in Naples. Workers covered by the CCNL Unionmeccanica-Confapi will also participate in the strike, indicating a broad coalition of support among metalworkers.
The unions are pushing for key improvements, including wage increases, reduced working hours, and enhanced health and safety measures in the workplace. They argue that these changes are essential not only for the well-being of workers but also for the overall stability of the metalworking sector, which has faced numerous challenges, particularly in the automotive industry.
In a statement, the unions declared, "We reaffirm the fundamental role of the national collective labor agreement to ensure wage increases that protect purchasing power, extend rights, combat precariousness, reduce working hours, and enhance health and safety protections, even in subcontracting." This reflects their commitment to addressing the rising cost of living that has affected many families in the sector.
The Savt Industrie union is also joining the strike, highlighting the breakdown in negotiations after eight meetings where the employers' proposals were deemed inadequate. The unions have expressed their frustration with Federmeccanica and Assistal, accusing them of failing to recognize the need for substantial wage increases in light of inflation.
In the lead-up to the strike, local unions in cities like Alessandria and Pisa are organizing additional protests. In Alessandria, a demonstration will take place from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, aimed at urging the immediate resumption of negotiations for the expired contract. Union leaders there have described the employers' behavior as "irresponsible and intransigent," calling for urgent action to address workers' demands.
In Pisa, a rally is scheduled for 10:00 AM near the train station, which will march to the Unione Industriali Pisana headquarters. The unions emphasize the importance of solidarity among workers and the community, inviting citizens, students, and associations to join their cause. "Together, we can make a difference!" they insist, stressing the need for a collective effort to secure better working conditions and wages.
The protests are not limited to major cities; even regions like Veneto are showing strong support for the strike. Local political figures have voiced their backing for the workers, emphasizing the need for negotiations that ensure fair wages and working conditions. The Coalition Civica Sinistra Verdi of Vicenza has stated, "No company can deny the right to dignified and safe working conditions," highlighting the critical nature of the ongoing negotiations.
As the strike date approaches, the unions are rallying their members to ensure a powerful turnout, which they hope will send a clear message to employers about the urgency of their demands. "We are witnessing an unacceptable situation where workers' rights are sidelined," said a local union representative, underscoring the widespread discontent among metalworkers.
With the national strike set to take place on March 28, the unions are determined to make their voices heard, advocating for a future where workers' rights and well-being are prioritized. The outcome of this mobilization could have significant implications for the metalworking sector in Italy, as workers seek to reclaim their rights and secure a better future.
