by InTrieste
Train passengers across Italy are bracing for widespread disruption on Tuesday, May 6, as two national rail strikes threaten to halt both passenger and freight services.
The first and more extensive of the two walkouts has been called by the USB Lavoro Privato union. It will span 24 hours, beginning at 9:00 p.m. on Monday, May 5, and ending at the same time on Tuesday. The strike will affect both passenger rail and freight transport, although a limited number of guaranteed services are expected to run during peak commuter hours — from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and again from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
A separate, eight-hour strike on Tuesday — from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — has been announced by Italy’s three largest transport unions: Filt Cgil, Fit Cisl, and Uiltrasporti. The labor action is aimed at pressing the government and employers to renew a national collective labor agreement that expired at the end of 2023.
In a joint statement, the unions said that while “some progress” has been made over the course of 16 months of negotiations, “there are still considerable distances to reach a contract adequate to our requests.”
Central to the dispute are demands for improved pay, reduced working hours, and better protections for workers across the rail sector. The unions warned that further strikes could follow if the government fails to provide “concrete and rapid answers to end the dispute.”
Tuesday’s walkouts are expected to affect both regional and long-distance train services nationwide. While Italy’s transport ministry mandates a minimum level of service during strikes — particularly during high-traffic commuting windows — travelers are still advised to expect delays and cancellations.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport provides real-time updates on public transport strikes via its official website.
Travelers in Italy should plan accordingly.
