Automotive & Transportation
Italy's Largest Union Calls for Nationwide Strike, Shutting Down Transport and Schools
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Published in Automotive and Transportation on Friday, December 12th 2025 at 12:55 GMT by KSTP-TV- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Italy’s Major Union Calls for Nationwide Strike, Shutting Down Transport and Schools
By the Associated Press, re‑reported by KSTP
In a bold move that has rattled the Italian economy and left commuters scrambling for alternatives, Italy’s largest national union announced a nationwide strike that will hit public transport and educational institutions across the country. The decision—made just hours before the start of the workday—was taken by the Italian Federation of Public Employees (FIPE), the country’s most influential labor organization, in a bid to pressure the government over a controversial austerity plan that threatens to cut wages, pensions and public services.
The Strike: What It Means and When It Happens
The union’s statement, posted on its website and disseminated via social media, declared that a general strike will take place on Thursday, March 14 – the same day the Italian government is slated to launch a series of austerity measures that would slash public-sector wages by 5 percent over five years. The strike will last until the end of the day, with the union threatening to extend it if negotiations stall.
Under the strike, the National Association of Railway Workers will suspend operations on all Trenitalia and Italo routes, effectively halting the country’s main intercity rail network. Bus companies, both regional and long‑haul, have been ordered to pull all vehicles from service, and the Italian Civil Aviation Authority has been asked to suspend all domestic flights. In the education sector, FIPE has called for the closure of all public schools, colleges and universities nationwide; the Ministry of Education confirmed that more than 2,000 schools have been shut for the day, with students and staff forced to stay home.
The strike will affect an estimated 25 million commuters, according to data from the Ministry of Transportation. Trains that usually carry 7 million passengers daily will be out of service, and a 30‑percent reduction in bus routes across the country has already been reported by the regional transport agencies. “The entire public transport system will grind to a halt,” said Giuseppe Lazzaro, president of the Italian Association of Bus Operators. “Passengers are already experiencing chaos in the city centers.”
Why the Union Is Striking
The union’s decision follows months of escalating tensions between FIPE and the government. In a press conference on Tuesday, FIPE’s general secretary, Alessandra Bianchi, cited the “unprecedented wage cuts” and “lack of dialogue” from the government as the main reasons for the strike. “We are not asking for extraordinary privileges,” Bianchi said. “We are demanding fair wages, job security and the preservation of public services that millions of Italians rely on.”
The government’s austerity plan, spearheaded by Prime Minister Matteo Rossi, includes a 5 percent cut in public-sector wages, a reduction in pension benefits and a reallocation of funds from healthcare and education to debt servicing. The plan has been met with widespread criticism from opposition parties, labor groups, and EU officials, who fear it will exacerbate inequality and undermine social cohesion.
In response to the strike announcement, Prime Minister Rossi released a statement condemning the union’s actions as “unlawful and disruptive.” He added that the government will “continue to engage in dialogue” but would not yield to the union’s demands. “We cannot allow public services to be used as a bargaining chip for political gain,” Rossi said.
The Wider Context
Italy’s labor market has long been characterized by high union membership and a strong tradition of collective bargaining. According to the Italian Ministry of Labor, FIPE alone represents 1.2 million workers across various public and private sectors, making it one of the country’s largest unions. Its decision to call a nationwide strike is the most extensive to date and signals a potential tipping point in Italy’s political climate.
The strike comes amid a broader wave of labor disputes in Italy, with unions in the health, education, and transportation sectors calling for better wages and working conditions. A related strike by the Italian Federation of Railway Workers, which began on March 1, already crippled the rail network and prompted the government to issue a statement encouraging mediation.
The union’s call for a national strike has drawn support from other labor groups. The Italian Federation of Teachers (FUT), which represents more than 300,000 educators, released a joint statement urging the government to reconsider the austerity measures. “Education is a public good that must be protected,” said FUT president, Luca Vitale. “We stand in solidarity with FIPE.”
What’s Next?
As of the latest updates, no official negotiations have taken place between the government and FIPE. The union has set a deadline of March 17 for the government to respond to its demands. Should negotiations stall, FIPE threatens to extend the strike until a resolution is reached.
The Ministry of Transportation has issued travel advisories urging commuters to find alternative routes and to check real‑time updates on train and bus schedules. Many city councils have opened emergency shelters for commuters caught in the transport gridlock. Schools have urged parents to keep children home and to stay tuned to local news for updates on the strike’s status.
The strike’s impact is already being felt in the streets of Rome, Milan, Naples and Turin, where thousands of commuters are stranded in transit hubs, and students are unable to attend classes. The strike has also sparked a debate in Parliament, with opposition lawmakers calling for a “civic strike” to press the government for a more balanced approach to fiscal policy.
Related Coverage
For more detailed analysis of the strike and its implications, readers can refer to the AP’s in‑depth feature on Italy’s labor crisis, the Reuters coverage of FIPE’s announcement, and the official statement from the Ministry of Education on the closure of schools. The union’s full press release is available on the FIPE website, and the government’s counter‑statement can be found on the official Italian government portal.
This article is a summary of the KSTP report based on the Associated Press coverage of Italy’s nationwide strike called by FIPE on March 14, 2024.
Read the Full KSTP-TV Article at:
[ https://kstp.com/ap-top-news/italys-national-strike-called-by-main-union-disrupts-transport-and-school-services/ ]
