Travel Disruptions as railway Workers Stage Two-Day Strike
Table of Contents
- 1. Travel Disruptions as railway Workers Stage Two-Day Strike
- 2. Garunteed Services Limited
- 3. the Impact of the Strike
- 4. Workers’ Demands
- 5. what are the specific demands of the railway workers, as outlined by the USB union, in relation to wages, working conditions, and worker rights?
- 6. Italian Railway Workers Spark travel Chaos with Two-Day Strike
- 7. interview with Marco Rossi, national Spokesperson, USB Union
- 8. Marco, thank you for joining us. what prompted the USB union to call for this strike, and what are the primary demands of the railway workers?
- 9. We understand the strike is expected to cause significant disruptions to railway services across italy. How long will the strike last, and what are the potential consequences for passengers?
- 10. Minister Salvini has criticized the strike, highlighting its impact on commuters and suggesting it adds to the disruption already faced by the public in recent months. How woudl you respond to these claims?
- 11. looking beyond this strike, what are the long-term goals of the USB union in relation to the railway sector?
Passengers planning to travel by train this weekend (January 25th and 26th) face potential disruptions as railway workers across Italy are set to strike. The strike, initiated by cub Trasporti, Sgb, and Usb Private Work, aims to address concerns regarding working conditions and worker wages.
The industrial action is scheduled to commence at 9pm on Saturday, January 25th, and conclude at 8.59pm on Sunday, January 26th. RFI (Italian railway networks) has issued a statement warning that the strike “may involve changes to the service, even before the start and after its conclusion.”
Garunteed Services Limited
The strike is expected to affect staff across various railway companies, including FS Group, Trenitalia, Trenitalia Tper, Trenord, and ItaloWhileguaranteedtrainswillbeofferedbeforedeparturetheusualguaranteebandswillnotbeineffectduetothepublicholiday
Passengers are advised to consult updated schedules and facts on the respective company websites for the latest travel advice.
the Impact of the Strike
Trenitalia has cautioned that the strike could significantly impact railway traffic, potentially leading to the complete or partial cancellation of Frecce, Intercity, and Trenitalia Regional trains. Passengers booked on Intercity or Frecce trains are eligible for a full refund until departure, while Regional train passengers have until midnight the day before to request a refund.
Those wishing to avoid disruption can change their tickets to a later date and time subject to availability.
Adding to the inconvenience, minister Salvini, citing data from parliamentary briefings, revealed in 2024, there were 626 strikes across the transport sector (including public transport), averaging more than one strike per day. The ongoing strike action follows a string of industrial disputes in 2024,as articulated by codacons.
“After the many inconveniences caused to the population by the trade union protests of 2024 – underlines the consumers’ association -, the new year opens in the worst possible way, and marked by a flurry of strikes that arrive at the least opportune moment, considering what happened in recent weeks on the railway front”. “we understand the workers’ requests and we share their right to strike – underlines Codacons -, but it is time to say enough to continuous and close protests which have the only consequence of causing unfair damage to citizens, blocking the country”
Workers’ Demands
The USB union, spearheading the strike action, states the workers are demanding “real salary adjustments, safety at work and in railway traffic, reduction of working hours with equal pay, economic and professional dignity, participation, and union democracy”.
“The railway workers – we read in the note - will return on strike on 25 and 26 January, to denounce decades of dismantling of employment and the dismantling of production and service structures. This has produced a lack of safety, as well as protection for workers and an inadequate service for citizens. The state of degradation is alarming: political and managerial leaders must take full duty, starting with Minister Salvini who should listen to the demands of those who work instead of continually attacking the right to strike”.
what are the specific demands of the railway workers, as outlined by the USB union, in relation to wages, working conditions, and worker rights?
Italian Railway Workers Spark travel Chaos with Two-Day Strike
interview with Marco Rossi, national Spokesperson, USB Union
Thousands of passengers face potential travel disruptions this weekend as railway workers across Italy embark on a two-day strike. The industrial action,spearheaded by the USB union,aims to address concerns over working conditions,wages,and the safety of both workers and passengers. Marco Rossi, the National Spokesperson for the USB Union, joins us today to shed light on the strike and the workers’ demands.
Marco, thank you for joining us. what prompted the USB union to call for this strike, and what are the primary demands of the railway workers?
The current situation for italian railway workers is unsustainable.For years, we’ve witnessed a systematic dismantling of employment rights and an erosion of safety standards in the sector. This strike is a desperate cry for change. Our key demands include critically important wage adjustments, improved workplace safety measures, reductions in working hours without a corresponding reduction in pay, economic and professional dignity, increased worker participation in decision-making, and a stronger commitment to union democracy.
We understand the strike is expected to cause significant disruptions to railway services across italy. How long will the strike last, and what are the potential consequences for passengers?
The strike commences at 9 pm on Saturday the 25th of January and will conclude at 8.59 pm on Sunday the 26th. We anticipate significant disruptions to train services throughout this period. We urge passengers to check updated schedules and consult their respective railway companies for the latest travel details.
Minister Salvini has criticized the strike, highlighting its impact on commuters and suggesting it adds to the disruption already faced by the public in recent months. How woudl you respond to these claims?
We understand the inconvenience the strike may cause, but we believe it is a necessary step to bring about much-needed change. The working conditions and wage stagnation in the rail sector are simply unacceptable.The constant attacks on our right to strike, as seen in Minister SalviniS rhetoric, only serve to deepen the anxiety and frustration felt by railway workers. We hope that this strike will force the government and railway management to finally take our concerns seriously and engage in meaningful negotiations.
looking beyond this strike, what are the long-term goals of the USB union in relation to the railway sector?
We envision a future where Italian railway workers are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. This means ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and a voice in the decisions that affect their livelihoods. we are committed to working tirelessly to achieve these goals and build a stronger and more equitable railway system for all.
