On April 8 and 9, 2025, Italy is set to experience one of its largest transport strikes of the month, affecting both the railway and air sectors. The strike is expected to cause significant disruptions, including cancellations and delays, lasting for a full 24 hours. These protests are driven by various grievances, including deteriorating working conditions, reduced safety measures, and ongoing disputes over wages and individual protective equipment.
The strike, organized by multiple trade unions, poses a serious threat to the country's major transportation networks, potentially impacting millions of travelers. On April 9, different sectors of the aviation industry will halt operations for four hours, from 12 PM to 4 PM, which will likely lead to chaos at airports across Italy.
Furthermore, the railway sector will also see industrial action on April 11 and 12, with workers from Italo and Trenord beginning their strike at 3 AM on April 11 and concluding at 2 AM on April 12. This action is primarily focused on renewing collective contracts, ensuring workplace safety, managing work shifts, and addressing overall working conditions. The strike could also indirectly affect freight transport on railways.
Adding to the turbulence, on April 23, 2025, workers from the La Gardenia group are expected to strike, impacting all RFI railway contracts. This series of strikes highlights the growing unrest among transport workers in Italy, who are increasingly vocal about their demands for better working conditions and fair treatment.
In a related development, the organizations Filt Cgil, Fit Cisl, UilTrasporti, and Ugl Trasporto Aereo have announced an 8-hour strike for staff at Gesap, the company that manages the Falcone-Borsellino International Airport in Palermo. This strike is scheduled for April 9, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM, following a previous protest that took place on February 28, 2025.
The unions have expressed frustration over what they describe as the persistent delegitimization of the trade union table by Gesap. They claim that the company has consistently avoided meaningful dialogue and has ignored efforts to establish proper industrial relations. Union representatives, including Fabio Lo Monaco, Concetta Arduino, Katia Di Cristina, and Domenico De Cosimo, have criticized the company for its lack of responsiveness and the absence of credible assurances regarding workers' rights and conditions.
According to the unions, the situation has been exacerbated by the failure to implement a strategic plan for the airport's requalification and efficiency management. They also point to violations of the national collective labor agreement (CCNL) and civil code, which have led to an increase in legal disputes. Additionally, they allege that Gesap has unilaterally adopted measures that alter work organization without consulting the unions, leading to retroactive decisions that favor a select few employees.
The unions have called upon Palermo's mayor, Roberto Lagalla, to intervene and convene a meeting with all parties involved to collaboratively resolve the ongoing issues affecting airport staff. The call for action underscores the urgent need for dialogue and negotiation to address the workers' concerns.
As these strikes loom, travelers and commuters should brace for potential disruptions in their travel plans. With multiple sectors of the transport industry mobilizing, the impact is expected to ripple across Italy, affecting not just those in the transport sector but also countless passengers relying on these services.
In summary, the upcoming strikes reflect a broader trend of labor unrest in Italy's transport sector, as workers demand better conditions and fair treatment. With significant actions planned in both the railway and aviation sectors, the situation remains fluid, and the potential for widespread disruption is high.
