Italy: Labor unions call for general strike nationwide Nov. 29 /update 2

Multiple Italian labor unions plan to stage a general strike nationwide Nov. 29. Union leaders will denounce the government's recent budget and demand increased wages for their members. The strikes will impact multiple sectors, which will likely prompt significant travel and business disruptions nationwide.

Unionized aviation staff at Wizz Air Malta (W4) will stage a 24-hour strike. Ground crew at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Milan Linate Airport (LIN) will strike 00:01-23:59, and at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) 14:00-18:00. Air Traffic Control (ATC) staff also plan to strike 00:01-23:59 Nov. 29. Further industrial action is possible at other airports.

In the public sector, labor unions plan widespread national industrial action, impacting education and local government services. Rail, public transport, motorway, taxi, and maritime service workers may also participate in industrial action; strikes may be limited in time and by region.

The CGIL labor union plans to hold a major rally and march in Bologna from 09:00, starting from Porta Lame and ending in Maggiore Square. Further local demonstrations will likely take place in major urban centers across Italy.

Business disruptions are likely nationwide. Flight and airport disruptions are likely at MXP, LIN, and VCE over the affected time frames, while the Wizz Air Malta strike may prompt flight disruptions nationwide. Lingering flight disruptions are possible as airlines work to clear any passenger backlogs. Strike-related ground transport disruptions are likely. Authorities will likely deploy heightened security to any demonstration by striking workers; rallies may prompt localized disruptions. Low-level confrontations between protesters and police are possible.