Italy is preparing for another major national strike on Friday, December 12, and many sectors across the country will be involved. The strike was called by the CGIL union, which says that the national budget law is unfair and needs important changes. Because of this, many services may slow down or stop, and people will need extra planning to move around safely and efficiently.
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Who Is Joining the Strike
Several worker groups will join the strike, and this will create wide disruptions during the entire day. Rail workers, local transport staff, teachers, school employees, and many public service workers have already confirmed their support. Furthermore, healthcare workers who do not work in emergency units may also participate. With such broad participation, the strike is expected to cause major delays, even though essential services will remain protected by law.
Transport Information and Guaranteed Time Slots
Transport will be the most affected sector, and travelers should prepare for long waiting times and many cancellations. According to official information, the rail strike will last from 00:01 until 21:00, which means almost the entire day will face disruptions. However, there will still be guaranteed service windows, usually between 06:00–09:00 and 18:00–21:00. These time slots help workers and students reach essential activities, although the number of available trains will stay limited.
Rail Transport
Rail companies such as Trenitalia, Italo, and regional operators expect many trains to be canceled or delayed. Even so, some long-distance trains may continue because they are included in the list of guaranteed services. Therefore, passengers should check official schedules before leaving home, because last-minute changes may happen quickly.
Expected rail impacts:
- Many regional and long-distance trains may be canceled throughout the day.
- Guaranteed trains will operate mainly in the morning and evening peak hours.
- Long-distance services may run only if included in the official guarantee list.
- Travelers should check updates often, due to possible rapid schedule changes.
Local public transport in some italian major cities
Milan
In Milan, for rail and regional trains, guaranteed “minimum services” will run during the usual strike-protected windows: 06:00–09:00 and 18:00–21:00. For local public transport (metro, bus, tram) managed by ATM, there is a note that the public transport strike may affect lines: for example, some sources suggest services might not be guaranteed between 8:45 and 15:00. If you plan on using city transit, best to check ATM’s live updates ahead of time.
Rome
For rail transport in Rome (regional or national trains), the general strike rules apply with guaranteed trains only in the 06:00–09:00 and 18:00–21:00 windows, if included in the “minimum services” list. For local public transit, ruled by Cotral and ATAC, the situation is more uncertain: some local operators have opted out of participation, meaning parts of the network might still run. Residents and travelers in Rome should check the website of the city’s transport operator for final confirmation.
Turin
In Turin, the city’s transit operator (GTT) reportedly plans guarantee-time windows for its metro and urban/suburban services. According to the strike notice: some services may run between 06:00–09:00 and 12:00–15:00. For extra-urban or certain bus-cooperative lines, times may differ — some may run early and again in the afternoon depending on the route.
Naples
For trains serving Naples (regional or national), guaranteed services during the strike again follow the national rule of 06:00–09:00 and 18:00–21:00 for those trains included in the “minimum services” list. For local public transit in Naples, the schedule may vary by operator: some sources mention local buses/trams/metro lines could be heavily reduced or suspended outside guaranteed windows.
Expected Participation and General Impact
Participation is expected to be high, because CGIL is a major union with strong national influence. Previous strikes led by the same union had large turnout, which suggests a similar outcome this time. However, participation often changes by region and by sector, meaning some cities could face stronger disruptions than others. Even so, transport services and public offices will almost certainly move much slower than usual.
Effects on Schools
Schools may experience significant difficulties, because teachers and administrative staff have been invited to join the strike. Families should prepare for possible classroom cancellations or reduced school hours. Some schools may even remain closed if there are not enough workers to ensure student safety. In addition, extra services such as school cafeterias or after-school programs may also be suspended.
Effects on Hospitals and Healthcare
Hospitals will follow special rules, because the law requires them to offer essential and emergency care at all times. Emergency rooms and urgent medical units will stay fully active, even if the strike affects other parts of the hospital. However, non-urgent appointments, routine visits, and planned surgeries may be delayed or rescheduled. For this reason, patients should confirm their appointments ahead of time to avoid problems.
What People Should Do
People should plan their day carefully, because the strike will influence travel, school schedules, and access to healthcare. It is helpful to check official rail and transport websites, because they publish updated lists of guaranteed services. Families should also contact schools to confirm schedules, and patients should check their medical appointments with clinics or hospitals. With careful preparation, the day can be easier to manage, even during a large national strike.
