Travelers heading to Italy during the holiday season could face significant disruptions due to a series of planned nationwide strikes. The largest strike is set for 28 November 2023, when both public and private transport sectors will halt operations for 24 hours. This strike, organized by major labor unions, is anticipated to impact long-distance trains, local transportation, ferries, and airports.
The situation worsens with another general strike planned for 12 December 2023. This 21-hour walkout is expected to further affect rail services, adding to the challenges already posed by the ongoing disruptions. It will commence just after midnight and last until 21:00 the same day, according to the transport ministry’s strike bulletin.
Unions are mobilizing against the government’s proposed budget cuts, which they argue threaten essential services. The largest union, CGIL, claims these cuts will exacerbate staffing shortages and delay the resolution of long-expired labor contracts. Grassroots organizations, such as Cobas, Usb, Sgb, and Cub, are backing the strikes, demanding increased funding for health, education, and other critical sectors while advocating for reduced military expenditures.
The strikes have drawn criticism from political leaders. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took to social media to express her discontent with the timing of the protests, questioning the unions’ motives. She pointedly noted the date of the December strike, suggesting it was strategically placed for a long weekend.
Travelers should prepare for severe disruptions. On 28 November, long-distance and regional rail services, along with local public transport and ferry operations, are likely to run on reduced schedules or may be canceled altogether. The impact on 12 December is expected to be particularly pronounced on rail transport, with high-speed routes between major cities like Rome, Milan, Florence, and Turin facing cancellations.
December is a peak travel month, amplifying the potential for congestion on key routes. Although flights are not specifically included in the strike actions, travelers arriving by air may experience challenges with rail connections that rely on national services operating under altered timetables.
Ferry services may also feel the strain. A planned two-day strike by ferry operators Tirrenia CIN and Moby from 15:00 on 9 December to 15:00 on 11 December could disrupt travel to islands such as Sardinia and Sicily. Additionally, a four-hour stoppage on 17 December involving ground handling staff, airline crews, and air traffic controllers in the vicinity of Rome is likely to cause delays at airports throughout the country.
According to the Italian civil aviation authority, ENAC, flights will be guaranteed during certain periods despite the strikes, specifically from 07:00 to 10:00 and from 18:00 to 19:00. For passengers affected by cancelled long-distance rail services, operators typically allow for a full refund or rebooking on equivalent services.
Travelers are advised to check for updates on timetables and service guarantees in the days leading up to the strikes. Detailed information is available on ENAC’s website and the Transport Ministry’s site, which provides ongoing updates on planned industrial actions.
