Italian unions launch nationwide strike Friday to protest cost of living and war

Grassroots unions including USB, ADL-Cobas, Clap and Unicobas have organised a general strike for Friday, describing it as a mobilisation against the cost of living, the war, and for decent wages and social justice. The action follows two weekends of largely peaceful protests, though the first weekend saw looting and clashes with police. Planned demonstrations will hit major cities such as Rome, Milan, Bologna, Turin, Florence, Naples and Palermo, as well as dozens of smaller towns.

Rail staff intend to suspend services from 9 p.m. Thursday until nearly midnight Friday, potentially disrupting Trenitalia routes, while local transport, schools, hospitals and ports could also feel the impact. Nine centre-left mayors, including those of Rome, Milan and Naples, have asked the government for an urgent meeting on the living-cost crisis. Meanwhile, truck drivers have suspended their fuel-price protests pending talks, and taxi drivers have recently demonstrated outside the transport ministry.