It was the Basic Trade Union (USB) that asked for the odd position. The aim of the protest is the acronym “to act against a policy that supports deindustrialization and taxes tourism on the peninsula”. The irritation of the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Salvini who announced on December 10: the strike on Friday 10 days before Christmas was “unacceptable so I signed the reduction to 4 hours”
December 2024 appears to be “hot” for a strike. Exactly two weeks after the mobilization organized by CGIL and UIL, a general strike announced by the Basic Trade Union (USB) is scheduled for Friday 13 December. As stated in the dedicated site of the ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the unrest was supposed to last 24 hours, with the exception of the Fire Brigade that will stop for 4 hours, from 9am to 1pm But on December 10, the communication came from the Minister of Transport Matteo Salvini: the strike 10 days before Christmas “it was unacceptable so I signed the reduction to 4 hours”. Commenting on the outcome of the meeting with the community union, Salvini stated that ”the right to strike was sacrosanct” but on Friday “I asked to reduce the 24 hours of strike, they told me no, politely but they told me no.I will formally reduce my request to 4 hours to guarantee those who want the right to strike but not to block the whole of Italy 10 days before Christmas”.
The reasons for the protest
Usb explains in a statement that the aim of the strike is “to fight at an economic and labor level a policy that supports deindustrialization and condemns tourism on the peninsula”. And he adds: “It is time to call a general strike that applies to all categories of working life and also applies to the rest of society, because the choices that this government is making have serious consequences not only on the work but also on the work. living conditions, the service system and more generally democratic freedoms and the increasingly concrete risk of seeing ourselves involved in danger spiral of war”.
Transport
On the front side behavior
commuters are at risk of a Black Friday due to journey cancellations or delays. before Salvini’s declaration, workers in the railway sector had to be suspended from work from 9pm Thursday 12th December until 8.59pm Friday 13th. Submissions are also expected for the local public transport (subways, trams and buses) with different methods and guarantee ranges depending on the purposes. A closed day for the workers is also expected maritime transport.I’m from the stop excluding airline workersincluding the Techno Sky team.
In-depth analysis
Landini: “500 thousand people ask to be heard, the government must respond”
School, health care
The absence from work will also affect the workers of the school with the exception of the staff of the first and second degree institutions of Trento, Co.e.si and Asif de Pergine valsugana, also in Trentino. The protest then affects the sector health care with the unions on a war footing for the funds allocated in the Budget. “The Budget Law for 2025 establishes definitively that the strengthening of the National Health Service and collective health is not a priority of the Meloni Government and emphasizes a further reduction of the resources allocated to the National Health Fund”, we read in a press release from the union announced for Friday 13 December shown in the square in Rome and milan.
Strike 29 November, demonstrations in Italian cities.PHOTOGRAPHS
Reviews across Italy against the government’s financial maneuvering: according to the unions, membership is over 70%, with peaks of 100% in some companies. For CGIL and UIL, who organized the riot, there was great participation in the 43 demonstrations across the country
EVENTS THROUGHOUT ITALY
- Thousands of workers took to the streets today - November 29 – against the government’s financial maneuver: the unions CGIL and UILwho organized the mobilization, 70% participation in the strike, with the participation of half a million people at 43 performances across the country. Participation was also very high in companies from all production sectors
PARTICIPATION IN MILAN
- Large participation of male and female workers at Milanmarched through the center’s streets this morning. According to the unions they wereover 15 miles the participants. “We want a comprehensive and supportive economic policy” is the slogan of the CGIL which organized the demonstration together with the Uil. In addition, according to the unions, almost all membership was in the companies over 50 percent. Closed for the morning M3 metro line
STRIKE IN TURIN
- The strike in Turin, however, was more turbulent: approx 15 thousand workers took part in the strike CGIL and UIL that went as well behavior excluding rail services. University workers and activists also participated in the procession ProPalwho threw eggs and smoke bombs at the police and tried to break through the police cordon near the station Porta Nuova. Salvini: “Whoever attacks the agents he deserves to go to jail”
How might the government’s response to the strike impact labor relations in Italy moving forward?
Interview between Time.news editor and Labor Expert on Upcoming General strike
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone, to this special segment where we delve into the upcoming general strike organized by the Basic Trade Union (USB) set for December 13th. Today,we have Dr. Elena Rossi, an expert in labor relations and public policy, to help us understand the implications of this strike. Welcome,Dr. Rossi!
Dr. Rossi: Thank you for having me. It’s great to be here.
time.news Editor: The USB is mobilizing for a general strike with a clear message against government policies perceived to support deindustrialization and adversely affect tourism. What are the roots of this discontent?
Dr. Rossi: Absolutely. The USB has articulated a strong stance against what they describe as “deindustrialization” policies. This concern stems from a broader fear that the government’s approach is leading to job losses and weakening Italy’s industrial base. They argue that not only does this impact workers, but it also endangers the living conditions and democratic freedoms of the broader society.
Time.news Editor: The timing of this strike is crucial, especially with it falling just days before Christmas. Minister of Transport, Matteo Salvini, labeled the strike “unacceptable” and moved to reduce its duration from 24 hours to just 4. What does this tell us about the political climate surrounding labor rights in Italy?
Dr. Rossi: It certainly highlights the tension between the government and labor unions. While Minister Salvini acknowledges the right to strike, his decision to curtail it reveals a reluctance to disrupt services during a peak holiday period. This reflects an ongoing struggle in Italy where the balance between economic stability and workers’ rights continues to be a contentious issue.
Time.news Editor: The protest is expected to impact various sectors, including transport, healthcare, and education. What are some potential outcomes for the public and for the government if the strike goes ahead as planned?
Dr. Rossi: The immediate outcome for the public, especially commuters, could be notable disruptions, including delayed or canceled public transport—quite akin to a “Black Friday” scenario. For the government,it poses a risk of escalating public dissatisfaction,particularly if citizens feel that their voices are being ignored. If the strike mobilizes successfully,it could pave the way for more coordinated actions from other unions and sectors in the future.
Time.news Editor: The USB has emphasized that this isn’t just about workers—they claim that these policies can lead to societal impacts. Can you elaborate on their broader concerns?
Dr. Rossi: Certainly. The USB’s call for a general strike is framed not only as a labor issue but as a societal one. They’re warning that current policies may lead to a “dangerous spiral” that affects not just the economy but may also expose citizens to precarious conditions and social instability. The call for solidarity across various sectors indicates that this protest is a rallying cry for all people affected by governmental policies, not just union members.
Time.news Editor: Given the current climate, what should we be watching for in the lead-up to the strike?
Dr. Rossi: it will be crucial to monitor the responses from both the government and other labor unions. How the government chooses to engage with these grievances,whether through dialog or further repression,could shape the dynamics of labor relations in Italy for years to come. Additionally, public sentiment—how the general populace reacts to the strike and the government’s response—will also be significant.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, dr. Rossi, for shedding light on this complex and evolving situation. It seems to be a pivotal moment for labor rights in Italy.
Dr. Rossi: Thank you for having me! it will be captivating to see how this unfolds. There’s a lot at stake for both workers and the government.
Time.news Editor: We will certainly keep an eye on it.Thank you for joining us today!
