The city of Milan is bracing for transportation chaos on February 14, 2025, as ATM (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi), the city's public transport provider, faces a 24-hour strike organized by the AL Cobas union. The strike is poised to disrupt the extensive network of metro lines, buses, and trams, significantly affecting daily commuting for residents and visitors alike.
Starting at 8:45 AM, the strike will result in the closure of metro lines M1, M2, M3, and M4, with the exception of line M5, which will remain operational. Services for surface transport, including buses and trams, are also expected to be severely impacted until around 3 PM, when limited services will resume. Another stoppage is set to follow from 6 PM to the end of the day's operations, leaving many commuters scrambling for alternative transportation arrangements.
The union has voiced strong opposition to several factors prompting the strike. According to the AL Cobas union, the drive against the privatization and liberalization of ATM's services is at the heart of this agitation. They assert, "Lo sciopero è stato proclamato contro la liberalizzazione, privatizzazione e gare d’appalto dei servizi attualmente gestiti dal Gruppo ATM" (The strike has been proclaimed against the liberalization, privatization, and competitive bidding of services currently managed by the ATM Group). This reflects widespread worker discontent with proposed changes to how public transport is managed and operated.
Commuters are bracing for challenging conditions, with expectations of significant delays manifesting at stops. An advisory from ATM read, "Considerate maggiori attese alle fermate di tram, bus e filobus" (Expect longer wait times at tram, bus, and trolleybus stops). With the metro largely down throughout the morning and evening rush hours, many may resort to taxis or personal vehicles, resulting in increased road congestion.
While commuters find themselves caught up in the turmoil, the reasons behind the strike shed light on the broader issues of job security, personal safety, and fair wages for ATM employees. The union's demands include not only halting the shift to privatization but also ensuring greater safety measures for staff exposed to potentially violent encounters. They are also fighting for increased pay, proposing net salary raises of €150 to help counteract the rising cost of living.
The 'Milano Next' project, another key point of contention, aims to transform ATM S.p.A. from a public company to one classified as 'Azienda Speciale' of the Milan municipality. Consequently, this could lead to direct management of services, raising concerns among workers about job security and service quality. The strike reflects the workforce's desire for more significant protections and conditions, including calls for hygiene and cleaning protocols to be enhanced within public transport vehicles.
On the flip side, Trenord services—which operate trains connecting Milan to its outskirts—will run as scheduled, unaffected by the ATM strike, delighting those who typically rely on this transportation option during strike events.
Observed across various public platforms, the mood among passengers is fraught with anxiety. Many have voiced concerns about how to navigate their Wednesday without the usual metro lines at their disposal. With poignant echoes of similar past strikes, including the one from October where worker support was evident, the impact of these disruptions lingers heavily on the minds of commuters.
This upcoming strike has wider ramifications beyond immediate inconvenience, as it touches on larger discussions about worker rights, public service quality, and future negotiations between labor unions and municipal authorities. The tension between progress and public service remains palpable, underscoring the challenges facing urban transport systems today.
Overall, this significant interruption to Milan's transport network on Valentine's Day serves as both a wake-up call for decision-makers and a reminder of the power of organized labor. Commuters are advised to plan accordingly; whether they decide to walk, bike, or utilize alternate forms of transport, practical solutions will be necessary to navigate the expected disarray. Stay tuned for updates from the city and transport operators to avoid unnecessary frustration.