A 24-hour strike by Rome's public transport companies is scheduled for Friday 22 June.
Organised by the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), the protest involves all of Rome’s public transport services including buses, trams, A and B metro lines, Cotral coaches and the Rome-Giardinetti and Rome-Civitacastellana-Viterbo light rail links.
The strike times follow the usual procedure: from 08.30 to 17.00 and from 20.00 until end of service. However the action involving services operated by ATAC (bus, tram, metro and regional railways) will begin from 09.00, unlike suburban bus operator Roma TPL which begins its strike from 08.30. Some of the capital’s night bus services will be at risk during the wee hours between Thursday 21 June and Friday 22 June.
The USB is striking over attempts of the government of Mario Monti to reform Article 18 of the 1970 Worker’s Charter, which defines what is considered "unjust" dismissal of employees and the terms and conditions under which they may be reinstated in their jobs. Monti wants to make it easier for employers to dismiss employees – a move deeply unpopular with trade unions.
Unions representing train operatives of the Ferrovia dello Stato have also called a national strike from 21.00 on Thursday 21 June until 21.00 the next day. The action excludes the earthquake-affected Emilia Romagna region of northern Italy. Similar to the strike regulations adhered to by public transport companies in Rome, the trains’ peak-time services are guaranteed: from 06.00 to 09.00 and from 18.00-21.00.
For details of train services see www.fsitaliane.it while for public transport updates in the capital see Rome’s agency for mobility www.agenziamobilita.roma.it.
Wanted in Rome
