by InTrieste
Italy faces widespread disruption to public services on Monday after the rank-and-file Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), joined by the USI, called a general strike for 18 May. The 24-hour strike action will affect transport, schools, healthcare and the wider public sector for the full working day.
Trieste Transport
Trieste Trasporti has warned passengers of possible service disruptions on Monday, 18 May 2026, as a result of a 24-hour nationwide general strike affecting the transport sector.
The industrial action, called at national level, has been joined by the regional branch of the USB Lavoro Privato transport sector union. It will involve both operating staff and technical and administrative personnel, potentially impacting local public transport services as well as customer service operations at company offices.
The transport operator, Trieste Trasporti, said that while interruptions may occur throughout the day, services will continue to operate during designated guaranteed time slots. These service windows are scheduled between 6:00–9:00 and 13:00–16:00, during which regular connections are expected to run.
Outside of these hours, delays, cancelations, or reduced services may affect commuters and other passengers using the city’s public transport network.
The strike has been announced as part of broader industrial action across Italy’s transport sector, with participation confirmed by USB Lavoro Privato in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.
Passengers are advised to plan journeys accordingly and allow for additional travel time where possible.
Schools and public administration
Schools and nurseries may close, depending on the level of participation among teaching staff and support personnel (ATA). Families will be informed by individual institutions in accordance with current regulations. Public administration offices are also expected to be affected.
Healthcare
Routine scheduled appointments, laboratory tests and non-urgent surgical procedures may be postponed. Emergency and urgent healthcare will remain guaranteed throughout the strike.
Unions’ demands
USB has framed the strike around both domestic and foreign policy grievances. The union is calling on the government to end what it describes as Italy’s complicity in ongoing conflicts, halt rearmament, and redirect public spending away from defense towards wages, pensions, public services, housing, healthcare and education.
The strike declaration makes explicit reference to the Global Sumud Flotilla appeal and expresses solidarity with those affected by the conflict in Gaza.
The actual scale of disruption will depend on the rate of participation across each sector on the day.
