Major strikes planned across Italy on Friday against cost of living and military spending

Widespread strikes across Italy are planned for Friday, as trade unions Unione Sindacale di Base call for public and private sector workers to protest against the rising cost of living and military spending. The demonstrations are expected to cause significant disruption, including a major demonstration in Rome and local public transport strikes throughout the country.

Student protests are also anticipated to reemerge in major cities across Italy. Union Cobas, along with Adl, Clap and Sial, have endorsed a general strike across both public and private sectors, excluding transport, highlighting the nationwide impact of the protests.

Rail services are anticipated to be affected from 9:00 PM on Thursday until 8:59 PM on Friday, while air transport strikes will persist throughout Friday. Local public transport services vary by city, and taxi services will be impacted across the entire Friday. Motorway staff will initiate their strike in the evening on Thursday. Dock workers, in solidarity with the cause, will mobilize globally against arms trafficking, rearmament policies, and the militarization of ports.

The strikes involve unions from over 100 ports in 17 countries, spanning four continents. In Italy, the action will impact ports such as Genoa, Livorno, Trieste, Civitavecchia, Ancona, Ravenna, and Gioia Tauro. Unione Sindacale di Base's primary demands include wage increases in line with the rising cost of living, the reintroduction of the 'scala mobile' mechanism for wage adjustments based on inflation, and measures to reduce the cost of essential goods, household bills, rents, and VAT on basic necessities.

The union criticizes the government for allocating excessive resources to military spending while neglecting adequate funding for healthcare, education, and other public services.