The strikes in Italy in November 2026 will reach their peak on Friday, November 20, with a nationwide general strike called by the CGIL labor federation. The call to strike is directed at workers in the public and private sectors, including those in schools, healthcare, and transportation. At the state-run railway, the strike will begin the evening before. The two Italo strikes originally scheduled for November 9 have been canceled.
Why is the CGIL calling for a general strike on November 20?
The CGIL is protesting the budget policy of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government. The call for a strike covers the entire workday and includes employees of contractors. The union is calling for higher wages and pensions, secure employment, and increased funding for public health care and education. It is also demanding a more progressive tax system and criticizing rising defense spending. In Rome, the march is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. Call for a Strike by CGIL Roma e Lazio
CGIL General Secretary Maurizio Landini had the General Strike on November 20 already announced at a rally in Rome. In addition, grassroots unions are organizing their own actions. As early as the General Strike in Late October Different traffic rules applied depending on the call.
When will the railways go on strike from November 19 to 21?
For Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), the state-owned railway company that includes Trenitalia, the CGIL has called for a strike beginning Thursday, November 19, 9:00 p.m., through Friday, November 20, 8:59 p.m., ahead of. For the private long-distance rail operator Italo, the call on Friday from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.. During the general strike, local public transit schedules may vary by location. Train schedules from the ministry's calendar
On Friday evening, the CUB Trasporti and SGB Ferrovie unions will issue their own call for action. It concerns passenger and freight rail service from Friday, November 20, 9:00 p.m., through Saturday, November 21, 8:00 p.m.. On Saturday, the strike will affect the entire shift for the companies listed in the ministry’s calendar. These include SAD in South Tyrol, Trentino Trasporti, the Turin transit authority GTT, and the regional transit operator EAV in Campania. The operators will announce which routes and trips are affected. Ministry of Transportation Strike Calendar
Trenitalia publishes lists of guaranteed long-distance trains and minimum regional service levels. For regional service on weekdays, the company generally specifies the time slots from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The specific trains that are actually guaranteed are listed in the schedules and notices regarding the respective strike. Guaranteed Trains on Trenitalia
What does the general strike mean for schools and hospitals?
At schools, teachers, school administrators, and administrative, technical, and support staff can participate. The education union FLC CGIL and the grassroots union USB Pubblico Impiego are already mentioned in circulars issued by schools. On November 20, USB is also calling on employees at universities, research institutions, and colleges of art and music to go on strike. Whether classes are canceled or childcare arrangements change depends on local participation. The announcement from the respective school is authoritative. Circular from the Istituto Superiore Guglielmo Marconi
Restrictions are also possible in government offices and the healthcare sector. The Bologna Public Health Service has informed its employees about the calls for action issued by CGIL and USB. Minimum services will be maintained for essential healthcare services. Information regarding specific appointments, examinations, and other scheduled services is available from the respective facilities. Notice of a Strike by the Bologna Health Service
Italo Strike on November 9 Canceled; Local Commuter Trains on Strike in Some Areas
The unions have called off the two Italo strikes announced for Monday, November 9, following an intervention by the Italian strike oversight authority. Work stoppages had originally been announced from 9:01 a.m. to 4:59 p.m., and for some train crew members from 2:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. According to the ANSA news agency, Italo announced that trains are expected to run as scheduled. In the labor dispute, the FIT-CISL union continues to demand a collective bargaining agreement. Rejection by the FIT-CISL · Italo Press Release on ANSA
In Genoa The local transit authority AMT has announced that a strike will continue on Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The strike affects city and regional transit as well as the replacement buses for the Genoa–Casella rail line. In Palermo AMAT is warning of delays or cancellations for buses and streetcars on that same day. The strike is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Notice from AMT Genoa · Note from AMAT Palermo
An Overview of Strikes in Italy in November 2026
Between the local transportation strikes and the general strike lies the nationwide walkout by the call center industry on Wednesday, November 11. The unions SLC CGIL, FISTel CISL, and UILFPC UIL are calling on employees at outsourced customer service centers to walk off the job for the entire day. They cite the threat of job cuts and are demanding that the government develop a strategy for the industry. UILFPC Call for a Strike
Two 24-hour calls are scheduled for Friday, November 13. In Milan The call applies to companies in the ATM Group. In the area Venice It concerns ATVO buses. On Saturday, November 14, there will be a 24-hour strike at the bus operator AMTAB in Bari. On Monday, November 16, at the local transit company ANM in Naples A four-hour work stoppage has been announced from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Which trips will operate during the respective service windows is determined by the operator's schedule. Announcement from ATVO · Ministry Calendar
| Date | Announced Labor Disputes and Cancellations |
|---|---|
| November 9 | Italo strikes have been called off. In local transit, AMT Genoa (11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) and AMAT Palermo (11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) are on strike. |
| November 10 | Local transit in the Cosenza area, 9:59 a.m.–1:59 p.m. |
| November 11 | Nationwide strike at call centers and outsourced customer service operations, all day. |
| November 13 | 24-hour shifts at the Milan-based ATM Group and at the bus operator ATVO in the Venice area. |
| November 14 | 24-hour hotline for the AMTAB bus company in Bari. |
| November 16 | Strike at the ANM public transit company in Naples, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. |
| November 19–20 | CGIL general strike on Friday. At the FS Group, the rail strike begins as early as Thursday at 9 p.m. |
| November 20–21 | A separate rail strike by CUB Trasporti and SGB Ferrovie will take place from 9:00 p.m. on Friday until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday. On Saturday, select local transit services will also be affected. |
| November 21–22 | More strike calls in the aviation sector. On Saturday, ENAV employees will strike nationwide from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; on Sunday, strikes are scheduled at Milan-Malpensa and Venice-Marco Polo. |
As of November 7, 2026. All times are in local Italian time. The overview lists selected calls for proposals.
Air Traffic on November 21 and 22
The ministry's calendar lists a statewide strike by the Italian air traffic control service ENAV for Saturday, November 21, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Sunday, November 22, a separate call for a strike by ENAV staff in Milan-Malpensa From 12:01 a.m. to midnight. At the airport Venice-Marco Polo A full-day strike by the security firm Sicuritalia IVRI has been announced for the same day.
The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) designates the hours from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. as protected periods for air traffic strikes. It also publishes lists of additional guaranteed flights. The airlines will announce any changes to specific flights. ENAC Overview of Guaranteed Flights
Labor Dispute at the Iren Utility Company
At the energy and utilities company Iren, the issues at stake are staffing, investments, and working conditions. The FLAEI CISL union has called for an overtime strike in the energy sector through November 23 and has announced a full-day walkout in November. Sky TG24 reports that the full-day walkout is scheduled for November 23. The union’s statement does not yet specify a date for the full-day walkout. Announcement from the FLAEI CISL · Sky TG24 Schedule Overview
The Last-minute changes in the transportation sector in late October shows how quickly the situation can change. For the November dates, the latest information from the respective operators provides details about individual lines and connections.
Sources and Further Information
- Italian Ministry of Transportation, Strike Schedule (accessed November 2026)
- FISAC CGIL, Demands for the General Strike (accessed November 2026)
- USB, Public Service Calls (accessed November 2026)
- CISL, Call Off of the Italo Strike (accessed November 2026)
- RaiNews, Initial Report from November 6 (accessed November 2026)
