Italy Faces Transportation Paralysis as Workers Strike on March 7-8, 2025
Rome, March 3, 2025 – Italy's transportation network is set to experience significant disruptions as workers across various sectors, including trains, aviation, and highways, prepare for a national strike on the International Women’s Day weekend. The strike will commence at 21:00 on Friday, March 7, and run until 21:00 on Saturday, March 8, with potential ripple effects felt across the country.
The action is organized by several independent unions, including Usi-Cit, Slai Cobas, CUB, USB, and ADL Cobas/Clap, highlighting the pressing issues of workers' rights, wages, and working conditions. The strike aims to draw attention not only to labor rights but also to women's empowerment, as it coincides with the celebration of International Women's Day.
According to the Italian railway company Trenitalia, the strike will disrupt the operational schedules of Trenitalia, Trenitalia Tper, and Trenord, with the potential for cancellations and delays of services across the nation. "From 21:00 on March 7 to 21:00 on March 8, railway circulation may undergo cancellations or variations due to this national strike," the company announced.
Despite the impending disruptions, specific services will remain available. Essential services during peak hours will be maintained, particularly for regional trains, which will operate from 6:00 to 9:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00. Passengers are advised to check the official Trenitalia website for the full list of trains guaranteed to run during the strike period.
"This strike reflects the urgency for addressing workers' rights and conditions across sectors, especially for women workers, coinciding with International Women’s Day," said a spokesperson for Usi-Cit, underscoring the importance of this action.
Passengers who wish to cancel their trips due to the strike can request refunds: for Intercity and Freccia trains, refunds are available up to the departure time of the booked train. For regional trains, requests can be made until 24:00 the day before the strike. Alternatively, passengers can rebook their travel based on seat availability.
Aviation services are also affected, with the Ministry of Transport reporting public and private flight personnel halting operations from 00:01 to 23:59 on March 8. The National Civil Aviation Authority has outlined protective time frames for flights, recommending travelers check with their airlines for updates prior to arriving at the airport. Airlines will be operating flights during specified protected windows between 7:00 and 10:00 and again from 18:00 to 21:00.
On the road, disruptions are anticipated as highway personnel participate in the strike, starting at 22:00 on March 7 until 22:00 on the following day. This means travelers should prepare for possible delays and services interruptions, especially on major thoroughfares.
Specific local impacts include Naples, where funicular service will cease operations from 12:00 to 18:00 on March 7. While public transport within cities like Milan is not expected to be affected—keeping metro, tram, and bus services running—regional services might see altered schedules.
The impending strikes are emblematic of growing frustration among public sector workers, particularly relating to pay and working conditions, as many unions continue to advocate for improvements. The strike on March 7-8, 2025, serves not only as logistical challenges for commuters and travelers but also as both a symbol and rallying cry for greater labor rights.
With the approach of the strike dates, both transport companies and passengers are gearing up for a challenging period, encouraging travelers to stay informed on service updates through official channels and to plan accordingly to avoid undue inconvenience.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops and prepare for potential delays across all transportation sectors this weekend.