Today, March 21, 2025, marks another challenging day for commuters across Italy as a nationwide public transportation strike disrupts bus, metro, and tram services. This 24-hour strike was organized by independent trade unions, which have called for better salaries and working conditions. The unions involved include Cub Trasporti, Sgb, Cobas Lavoro privato, Adl Cobas, and Al Cobas.
The agitation primarily affects major cities such as Rome and Milan, where significant service interruptions are expected. In Rome, the Atac network will be impacted, with public transport not guaranteed between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, and again from 8:00 PM until the end of the service. During the guarantee times of 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, services will resume, allowing some commuters to travel home after work.
In Milan, the ATM has confirmed participation in the strike, with services running until 8:45 AM and then again from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. After these hours, bus, tram, and metro services will be greatly reduced, leading to longer waiting times and overcrowded vehicles during peak hours.
The strike was initially called to address key demands from the unions, who are advocating for a salary increase of 300 euros, a reduction in working hours from 39 to 35 per week with equivalent pay, and enhanced protections for health and safety in the workplace. This motion reflects the growing concerns regarding the working conditions of transport employees across Italy.
"If the government refuses to allocate resources for a real recovery of the purchasing power of the salaries of transport workers, a clear and determined response is urgent," said a spokesperson for the Confederazione Unitaria di Base. This statement underscores the urgency and seriousness of the unions' demands, as they challenge the government’s focus on military spending rather than supporting the working class.
In addition to Rome and Milan, the strike affects public transport systems in other cities like Naples and Turin. In Naples, the Busitalia Campania has set protected time slots from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM and from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM for urban and extra-urban services. In Turin, Gtt lines will be guaranteed during the slots of 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, while extra-urban services will only see limited operations in the morning and late afternoon.
The strike additionally extends to the Cotral railway network, which connects suburban areas to Rome and affects commuter services on the Roma Nord and Metromare routes. This interruption may lead to further delays and cancellations throughout the region, creating ripple effects across all sectors reliant on public transportation.
Further, the unions have indicated that they will participate in additional strikes if the government does not respond adequately to their current demands. Workers are frustrated by the sluggish pace of negotiations regarding working conditions and compensation, reflecting a broader labor unrest felt across various sectors in Italy.
And while this nationwide strike extends for 24 hours, the implications for commuters can still be felt in the days and weeks that follow, especially as the population of commuters in Italy steadily returns and more people return to work post-pandemic.
The unions have stated they will reevaluate the success of the strike and plan further actions if the government fails to meet their requests. The strike is expected to evoke public sympathy amid growing dissatisfaction over labor treatment and economic inequality facing many workers.
This action serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for better labor conditions, as workers continue to mobilize around essential demands that reflect their need for respect and dignity in the workplace. With the strike's conclusion today, attention will now turn to the response—or lack thereof—from government officials and transportation authorities in the wake of this labor action.
