Train Strikes in Italy

You probably have encountered air or train strikes in Italy while there. Most common are rail strikes, and this year seems to have had its fair share.

Earlier this year, I was in Lucca once and Rome a second time when the rail workers went on strike. The cancellations made Termini a crazier place than it usually is.

Italian Law Regarding Strikes

Article 40 of the Italian Constitution recognizes the right to strike as a key tool for protecting workers’ rights. This right, an individual one exercised collectively, is often initiated by trade unions to improve working conditions. The Workers’ Statute of 1970 introduced protections against anti-union practices, ensuring that striking does not affect employment or social security.

Strikes are allowed in both public and private sectors, but laws regulate essential services like health, transport, and education to protect citizens’ basic needs. Unions must announce their intention to strike 10 days in advance, and a Guarantee Commission oversees their legitimacy. Police and armed forces may not strike.

Planes, Trains, and Public Transport

Italian laws prohibit strikes by transport workers during the peak summer holiday season—27 July and 5 September.

Travelers in Italy may face significant disruptions after September 5 due to a series of planned strikes. On 7 September, pilots and cabin crew at ITA Airways and Wizz Air will strike from 13:00-17:00, potentially causing flight delays and cancellations. Air traffic controllers at Rome Fiumicino and Olbia, along with baggage handlers at Milan, Florence, and Pisa airports, will also walk out during this time.

On 8 September, a 24-hour nationwide rail strike could disrupt regional and long-distance trains. Additionally, public transportation workers from four major labor unions plan to hold an eight-hour strike across Italy on September 9 . Bus, tram, and metro services nationwide will suffer disruption between 8:30 and 16:30. The strike is in support of demands for the renewal of a nationwide collective bargaining agreement. Unions also plan a 24-hour transportation strike for 20 September.

The timing and impact of the strike will vary from city to city. Even though there is a strike, there will be limited runs on trains. There probably will be significant disruptions to public transport during the strike, potentially leading to increased traffic congestion as commuters use their own vehicles. Striking workers may also organize pickets or demonstrations near transportation hubs.

What Do I Do?

In case of strike, Trenitalia will assist you. One good thing is that some trains will still run during the strike. If there are still trains to your final desitnation available on that day, Trenitalia will try to accommodate you. Contact them directly by email (info@italiarail.com) or phone (1-877-375-7245) with questions.

If the strike impacts your flight, you can get a ticket refund (to be made within 7 days) or an alternative flight. In that case, you must contact the carrier as soon as possible. 

Note that you may have a right to further compensation. Contact the carrier for more information.

Updates can also be found on the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport website.

Chris Cutler

Travel Editor

Christine Cutler is a writer, photographer, editor, guide, teacher, traveler, Ohio native, Florida resident, and world citizen. she lives in downtown St. Petersburg with her husband and crazy Welsh terrier, and she considers Italy, where she holds dual citizenship, her second home. in addition to being travel editor and writing for live in Italy magazine, she maintains her own websites (coldpastaandredwine.com and christinecutler.com), guides small groups through Italy, and is a travel advisor for Adventures by Jamie (adventuresbyjamie.com) a travel, non-fiction, and memoir writer; photographer; and editor whose work has appeared in various publications, she spends as much time as she can exploring—and living and breathing—Italy.