Milan is bracing for yet another disruption as public transportation unions prepare for a strike on February 24, 2025, affecting subways, trams, and buses across the city. This labor action, called by the USB Labor Union, follows closely on the heels of another strike just ten days prior on February 14, which also crippled transit services.
The upcoming strike is slated to begin at 8:45 AM and will continue until 3:00 PM, before resuming after 6:00 PM. During this time, commuters can expect significant delays and service interruptions, making travel plans extremely challenging. According to Atm (Azienda trasporti milanesi), only the M4 and M5 metro lines will remain operational after 6 PM, with the M1, M2, and M3 lines all shutting down.
This labor action is primarily motivated by what the union claims is the management's failure to engage meaningfully on negotiations for the renewal of the National Collective Labor Agreement (CCNL) for autoferrotranvieri internavigatori covering 2024 to 2027. The USB Labor Union asserts the current proposal includes salary increases of only 5.96%, which they argue fail to address the more than 10% loss of purchasing power experienced by transport workers over recent years.
The strike is expected to have widespread consequences for daily commuters, many of whom rely on these services for their commute to work, education, and other necessities. Past strikes have shown substantial economic impacts, causing delays, increased congestion on alternate transport means, and frustrating disruptions to daily life. Atm's latest update around 8:45 AM on February 24 stated, “All metro lines are open. Tram, bus, and trolleybus services are operational,” offering some confidence to early morning commuters, though uncertainties loom post-strike commencement.
Last year, public transportation strikes were frequent as various unions across Italy sought to negotiate improved working conditions and pay. The strike of February 14 saw only limited participation — about 3.3% of workers showed solidarity. Still, the situation has escalated, leading to the decision for the upcoming action, as noted by union representatives.
“We expect significant disruptions for our passengers and urge everyone to plan their journeys accordingly,” issued Atm, indicating the severity of the urban mobility crisis set for February 24. Commuters have been advised to seek alternative transportation methods during the strike hours and stay updated via Atm's real-time communication channels.
Beyond the immediate inconveniences caused by the public transportation strike, the labor unrest speaks to larger trends within the transportation sector. With economic pressures mounting and inflation affecting reverberations across many layers of society, transport workers are now at the forefront of negotiating their conditions, signaling potential for similar unrest elsewhere.
Passengers are encouraged to follow updates from Atm, as adjustments to services may happen even outside officially declared strike times, providing little certainty for those reliant on public transport. The atmosphere around the strikes suggests tension between workers seeking fairer wages and management hesitant to meet these demands fully.
This situation not only stresses the transportation network but raises urgent questions about worker rights and corporate responsibilities amid changing economic landscapes. On the verge of another strike, Milan finds itself underlining the significance of effective dialogue between labor and management to prevent future disruptions.
With the challenges faced on February 24, the plight of Milan's commuters will once again be at the forefront, as they navigate through strikes and negotiate their days without the usual reliability of public transport.