Genoa Braces for Escalating Industrial Action as Ilva Protests and Metalworkers’ Strike Converge
Table of Contents
The city of Genoa is facing significant disruption as protests by former Ilva steelworkers continue and a general strike by metalworkers is set to take place on Thursday, December 4, 2025.Roadblocks,demonstrations,and growing labor unrest are converging,raising concerns about the future of the region’s industrial base.
Ilva Protests Enter a New Week
The demonstrations, initiated by ex-Ilva workers, resumed at the beginning of the week with roadblocks and protests that extended to major transportation hubs, including the motorway and airport. As of Wednesday, December 3, 2025, road closures remained in effect for vehicles approaching from the Genoa Airport toll booth.
Union Leader Calls for Action,Cites Lack of Progress
Nicola Appice,of the Fim Cisl union,addressed protestors,stating,”The protest continues,we have decided to relax slightly on the Guido Rossa becuase we do not want to create enmity with the citizens.” Appice expressed frustration over the lack of tangible results following two days of strikes and demonstrations. “Not a thing has moved,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for the withdrawal of a “short plan” and the delivery of materials for all production lines, not just tin.
Appice lamented that discussions with regional officials, including President Bucci, had yielded no breakthroughs. “Yesterday will go down in history,” he said, “it was supposed to bring results…Last night, unfortunately, Bucci did not give good news. The same ones received at the meeting in Rome.”
Funding Challenges and Regional Response
President Bucci acknowledged the availability of funds for the plant’s future but highlighted a legal obstacle. “The necessary funds for the future of the plant are there,” Bucci stated, “but European law dose not allow them to be used as the company is under administration.” He described the situation as “a serious problem, more complex than expected,” but pledged continued efforts to find a solution.
Bucci assured workers that no job losses or layoffs are anticipated before February 2026, coinciding with the planned restart of the second blast furnace in Taranto and galvanizing operations in Genoa. He also indicated a request to allocate a portion of €200 million earmarked for maintainance to the Cornigliano plant,recognizing the need for “certainties and a solid industrial future.” He acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the protests and vowed to work towards a swift resolution.
Metalworkers’ Strike to Intensify Thursday
The situation is expected to escalate on Thursday, December 4, 2025, with a confirmed general strike by metalworkers in genoa. Demonstrators plan to gather at the Melis gardens at 9:00 am before marching towards the prefecture.
Broader Industrial Concerns and Solidarity
The unrest extends beyond Ilva, with concerns raised about the difficulties facing other major Ligurian companies, including the Italian Institute of Technology and Ansaldo Energia. The USB union, through a statement by its RSU delegates, expressed “maximum solidarity” with workers at all three companies. The union attributed the challenges to cuts in public services and investment in infrastructure, coupled with a lack of industrial policies promoting modern production and skilled labor.
“Two of the major ligurian companies…have serious difficulties,” the statement read,”although different have the same causes: yet another financial maneuver that cuts services and jobs to throw billions into weapons and useless infrastructures.”
Further Negotiations Planned
In an effort to de-escalate the crisis, Minister of Business Adolfo Urso has scheduled a new meeting with representatives from the Liguria Region and the Municipality of Genoa for next Friday. The outcome of this meeting will be crucial in determining the future of the region’s industrial sector and the fate of thousands of workers.
