Transport strike gives Italian cities ‘Black Friday’

Nationwide strikes left commuters and tourists stranded across Italy on Friday as transport unions called for better job conditions for workers and protested against privatisation.

Trains, airplanes and buses were cancelled in a series of strikes over a 24-hour period which started on Thursday evening.

Transport Minister, Graziano Delrio, said that he had tried to negotiate with union leaders, but stated “sadly, it will be a black Friday’’.

People seeking shade from the summer sun at bus stops around Rome’s Termini train station, the city’s main transport hub, said it was unfair that the country’s powerful labour unions still resorted to strike.

“I’ve waited for buses from three different lines for two hours and not even one has passed. I find this way of protesting uncivil in the 21st century.

“There should be other ways to resolve labour issues,’’ said Rome resident, Franco Marini.

Italy is due to spin off parts of the state railway company under a delayed privatisation plan to cut its huge public debt.

It is also looking for a buyer for struggling airline, Alitalia, which was put under state management in May after making losses for years.

“The doctrine of privatisation has gradually and dangerously spread through this sector, creating economic instability, unemployment, fewer services, and worrying reductions in safety,’’ the SGB union said in a statement.

It added that the situation had sent salaries and workers’ rights and protections into free fall.

One of the special commissioners brought in to help salvage Alitalia described the strikes as “irresponsible’’ and “a gift to competitors’’.

The commissionr said that the airline would try to cancel no more than 160 flights of 620 flights scheduled during the walk-out.