Transport links in Europe will be significantly disrupted as workers begin a series of strikes over economic policy and labour rights, with the protests coinciding with the holiday travel season.
Transport strikes in Italy
Delays and cancellations could affect ferry services to Sicily and Sardinia, as well as the operation of toll booths on the country’s motorways.
The strike, organised by the USB (Unione Sindacale di Base) union, is being held to protest against the government’s economic policies, which union leaders say increase social inequality and hinder deindustrialisation.
Italy’s major airports will also be affected by a 24-hour strike by air navigation staff at TechnoSky and a shorter strike by air traffic controllers on December 15. These protests are supported by several of Italy’s leading transport unions.
In Italian cities, passengers are also expected to experience disruptions in public transport due to a four-hour nationwide strike on January 10 called by the FAISA-CONFAIL union.
Although disruptions will vary from city to city, the strike by public transport operators is likely to affect buses, trams, commuter trains, riverboats and ferries, as well as metro lines. Long-distance railway services and taxi services are not expected to be affected.
In addition, train delays and cancellations are planned in the Florence agglomeration, and long-distance trains may be disrupted on January 12. This is due to a strike by employees of the managing railway network Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI).
In Florence, there may also be disruptions to trams on January 25 due to a 24-hour protest by employees of Gest, the company that manages their traffic. Passengers are advised to check whether transport will run as scheduled before leaving home.
Situation in France
Several planned strikes will affect French train passengers from December 11. An end date for the industrial action has not yet been set, so it is likely to last until Christmas. Both TGV high-speed trains and international routes and TER regional lines will be under threat.
Rail workers from the country’s four main unions are protesting against the growing privatisation of regional rail routes by the state-owned rail company SNCF.
Although strike announcements in France usually appear on train timetables 48 hours in advance of the action, it’s worth checking them on the day you plan to travel.
French ports will are affected by the dockers’ strike on December 9-10. However, it is expected to affect mainly freight traffic, with passenger services only minimally disrupted.
The protest is organised by the CGT (General Confederation of Labour) union, which is demanding higher wages and pension plans for workers, as well as addressing harmful asbestos problems at several ports.
Finnair flights have been affected
Finland’s flagship carrier, Finnair has cancelled 300 flights on December 9 and December 13, which will affect around 33,000 air passengers. This is due to a strike called by the Finnish Airline Pilots’ Association. Finnair warns that flights on other dates near these two days of industrial action may also be affected.
Nationwide bus strikes in Spain
The nationwide bus strike in Spain, which began at the end of November, is expected to continue into December, causing significant disruption to both local and intercity bus services.
The strike will particularly affect regional services in Murcia and Andalusia. The protests were organised by the Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT) union to demand better working conditions for drivers and the possibility of early retirement without financial penalties.
