Navigating Italy: A Guide to Strikes and Protests

Living and working in Italy means accepting that public actions, known as the sciopero (strike) and manifestazione (protest), are regular occurrences. While these actions are a deeply protected part of the country's democratic tradition, they can be a major source of stress and confusion for anyone relying on transport or public services... which is the point. After living in Italy for over a year now, have learned to understand and navigate these disruptions while also respecting why they occur.

The Broader Impact: The Gaza Solidarity Strike

Italy recently experienced a massive nationwide action on September 22 that combined both a general strike and huge protests. The scale of the disruption was impossible to ignore, and the political effects have been widely discussed.

The action was called by grassroots unions across various public and private sectors.

• The Cause: This was a "solidarity strike." It was a call to pressure the Italian government to take a stronger stance against the war in Gaza, demanding an end to arms shipments and a change in diplomatic policy.

  
  

• The Immediate Impact: The work stoppage caused serious disruptions across the country, affecting national rail lines, local buses, schools, and port logistics. Tens of thousands of people marched in major cities, including right here in Torino.

Monday's strike and protest was impossible to ignore. It affected nearly every area of major cities, including our city of Torino.

A Direct Political Outcome

The unions’ action did not immediately change foreign policy. However, the immense public pressure created by the strike and protests did lead to a specific government reaction.

Following reports of drone attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian aid vessel with Italian citizens aboard heading for Gaza, Italy and Spain sent naval ships to assist the flotilla. While Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the flotilla's mission "dangerous and irresponsible," the Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, called the deployment of a naval frigate "an act of humanity." This dual response, protecting citizens while maintaining a cautious diplomatic stance, was a direct result of the high visibility of the issue, which the strike had forced onto the national agenda.

Why Is Italy Always Striking?

The frequency of these actions is rooted in a few key aspects of Italian political and labor culture:

1. A Constitutional Right: The right to strike is not just tolerated here, it’s a fundamental right enshrined in Article 40 of the Italian Constitution. It is built into the democratic framework as a core tool for workers to defend their interests.

   
   

2. Union Power: Italy has a powerful and highly organized union culture. Unions frequently call a sciopero not just for local workplace issues, but for broad social and political change, such as the general strike seen this week.

   
   

3. Historical Precedent: The tradition of using massive public mobilization has deep roots, ensuring the strike remains a primary method of societal pressure today.

Strike (Sciopero) vs. Protest (Manifestazione)

It is vital to understand the difference when planning travel or commuting, especially since they often occur together:

• A Strike (Sciopero) is when people stop working. This is the formal cessation of labor that cancels a train or limits a school’s functioning. This can happen in any industry in Italy.

  
  

• A Protest (Manifestazione) is when people march or gather. This action closes streets, diverts traffic, and fills city squares.

  
  

Strikes and protests often go hand in hand. Workers use the time off work provided by the sciopero (the work stoppage) to participate in the manifestazione (the public march or rally).

The Practicalities: Finding Information

For those not participating, managing the disruption requires reliable, up-to-date information.

Where to Check for ALL Strikes (Not Just Transport)

Strikes can affect museums, public offices, healthcare, and schools, not just trains. To find information on every sector's scheduled national strike, you must check the regulatory body:

• The Gold Standard (All Sectors): The official body that regulates strikes in essential services is the Commissione di Garanzia Sciopero (Commission for Guaranteeing Strikes). This website is the central resource for strikes in sanità (health), scuola (school/education), and public administration, in addition to transport.

  • Search for the website: Because the official website address can be complicated for international users, the most reliable method is to Google "Commissione Garanzia Sciopero" to find the official link. It is the definitive source.

    
    

• For Transport Only: The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport still maintains the clearest calendar (calendario) dedicated solely to transport: http://scioperi.mit.gov.it/mit2/public/scioperi.

Guaranteed Minimum Service

Italian law requires essential services to guarantee a minimum level of service (servizio minimo garantito). A full shutdown of the country is not permitted.

• Trains: National train companies are required to run a specific list of "guaranteed trains," typically covering peak commuting hours (usually 6:00 AM–9:00 AM and 6:00 PM–9:00 PM). I always check Trenitalia and Italo directly for that specific day’s list.

  
  

• Other Sectors: Schools and hospitals must also guarantee skeleton staffing. This means one might find a public museum closed, but a key public service will likely be running on a reduced schedule.

  
  

Don't worry, Ready Set Italia is never on strike. Exam preparation is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the A2, B1, and (soon to be) drivers license exam.

My best advice as a resident is to plan for maximum flexibility. If a sciopero is on the horizon, check the appropriate official website and act fast to change bookings. It is an inconvenience, but it is the reality of living in a country where the right to protest is so deeply valued.