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Strikes For Members

Calendar: The transport strikes to expect in Italy this spring

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Calendar: The transport strikes to expect in Italy this spring
Strikes, especially those regarding the transport sector, are a fairly regular occurrence in Italy’s spring months. Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP

As strikes continue to affect flights, trains and public transport in Italy, here's a look at the dates on which to expect disruption in the coming weeks.

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Strikes, especially those affecting transport, are a regular occurrence in Italy during the spring months.

This year will be no exception as Italian unions have already announced a number of demonstrations likely to affect rail, airline or public transport services around the country. 

READ ALSO: Why are there so many transport strikes in Italy?

But not all walkouts are expected to cause the same amount of disruption to travellers.

Luckily, strikes in Italy are usually announced well in advance, and the Italian transport ministry lists them on a handy calendar here.

Here's a look at the planned strikes which are most likely to cause significant delays and/or cancellations in the coming weeks. 

May 19th: Airport handling staff were scheduled to hold a 24-hour walkout on Friday, expected to impact all of Italy's major airports.

But most trade unions in Italy confirmed that they had postponed strike action planned for Friday in light of the disastrous flooding in the Emilia Romagna region and rescheduled it for June 4th.

Two unions said they would go ahead with protests on Friday, though not in the flood-hit areas of the country.

READ ALSO: Italian unions suspend Friday airport strikes due to floods

This means some limited disruption to flights is possible on Friday, though the larger-scale protests expected will not now go ahead.

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Cabin crew from several airlines were also scheduled to hold separate protests on Friday.

Staff from Air Dolomiti had been scheduled to take part in a 24-hour strike on Friday, but this was also cancelled following the flooding.

Shorter planned walkouts in the afternoon by cabin crew from Volotea, American Airlines and Emirates were not confirmed.

Departure board at Rome's Fiumicino airport

Cabin staff from Air Dolomiti and Volotea will both strike on Friday, May 19th. Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP

May 26th: Commuters in Italy are once again set to face disruption on Friday, May 26th as public transport staff in various parts of the country will take part in a 24-hour general strike. 

The protests will affect bus and tram services as well as metro lines, with significant delays and cancellations likely to take place on the day.

READ ALSO: Should you travel in Italy when there’s a strike on?

At the time of writing, it isn't yet clear whether local and interregional rail services will also be affected by the walkout.

The strike was called by Italian union USB (Unione Sindacati di Base) in protest against precarious work contracts and low wages.

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June 4th: The nationwide 24-hour walkout by airport handling staff scheduled for May 19th will now take place on June 4th, unions said.

As at least four of Italy's largest transport workers' unions will take part in the strike, it is expected to cause some level of disruption at all of Italy's major airports.

At the time of writing, there are no further details about the planned protests and their potential impact on travel to, from and across Italy on the day.

Most strikes in Italy are planned well in advance of the actual strike date, but last-minute walkouts or unannounced demonstrations cannot be ruled out.

The Local will update this article should further demonstrations be announced.

You can keep up to date with the latest strike news from Italy HERE.

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