Transport strikes are something of a regular occurrence in Italy, with at least two or three nationwide walkouts called each month.
Conveniently though, most protests are planned and announced well in advance, with the Italian Transport Ministry listing them on a handy online calendar (available in Italian).
This usually gives commuters and international visitors some time to arrange alternative methods of transportation or, when possible, reschedule their journeys.
Here's a look at the major walkouts that you should know about if you’re travelling to, from or across Italy in May.
May 28th – EasyJet strike
EasyJet passengers flying to or from Italy may face delays or cancellations on Wednesday, May 28th, as Italy-based pilots and flight attendants plan to take part in a four-hour strike.
The protest, which is backed by Italy's USB union, is expected to start at 1pm and end at 5pm, according to Italy’s Transport Ministry.
Under Italian air transport laws, flights due to depart between 6am and 9am and between 6pm and 9pm are guaranteed to go ahead as planned.
May 28th – Baggage handlers' strike at Milan airports
Flights to and from Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa may experience delays on Wednesday, May 28th, as baggage handlers at both airports plan to strike for four hours: from 1pm to 5pm.
Besides potential changes to flights’ scheduled arrival or departure times, the walkout may also cause delays in ground airport operations including passenger check-in and baggage drop-off or collection services.
May 28th – Local taxi strikes
Taxi services in Rome, Naples, Turin, Bari and Lamezia Terme (Calabria) may be significantly limited on Wednesday, May 28th, due to strikes by local drivers.
Drivers in Rome, Naples, Turin and Lamezia Terme will strike for 24 hours, whereas drivers in Bari will walk out from 9am to 9pm.
There aren't currently any details as to how many workers will participate in the protests, but anyone planning to use taxi services on this date should be prepared to find alternative means of transport.
How bad are strikes in Italy?
Transport strikes in Italy are frequent, but not all of them cause major disruption for passengers.
The severity of disruption caused by any walkout in the country largely depends on how many workers choose to participate in it.
Nationwide protests backed by one or more major trade unions tend to have a bigger impact, as they represent more workers than smaller regional unions.
Even in the case of highly disruptive strikes though, transport operators are legally required to guarantee some essential services at peak travel times.
What to do if your flight is cancelled
If you're flying to, from or within the EU, you have the right to either a refund or rebooking, and the airline must always offer you the choice.
If you're booked onto a later flight and have to wait for more than two hours, you're entitled to assistance such as food and drink.
READ ALSO: What are my rights in Italy if a flight is cancelled or delayed?
And in the case of cancellations at short notice you may also be able to claim compensation.
Find full details here.
What to do if your train is cancelled
If a pre-booked rail service is cancelled due to strike action in Italy, passengers are normally given the option to travel on an equivalent service or ask for a full refund.
READ ALSO: Can I get a refund in Italy if my train is cancelled because of strikes?
Private long-distance operator Italo and state-owned Trenitalia issue refunds automatically within 30 days of the cancelled trip.
Keep up with the latest updates in The Local’s strike news section.
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