Transport strike causes commuter chaos in Italy

On Monday, transit workers in Italy staged a strike, which created chaos for commuters around the country, and a walkout by some of Alitalia’s employees caused dozens of flights to be cancelled.

Roads throughout the nation were jammed as commuters switched to cars or scooters to make their way to work. Workers staged the walkout to force transport companies and the government into contract renewal discussions.

Air travelers found flights delayed and cancelled when they arrived at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci airport, where an unannounced labour action by a number of Alitalia pilots and flight attendants shut down many flights.

The national airline said that it did not have a count of the number of flights cancelled, but on the carrier’s website it showed there were as many as 50 departures cancelled on Monday, and 30 arrivals, as well.

A spokesman for the airport, Adriano Franceschetti, reported that the Alitalia staff are those in opposition to the rescue plan for the airline that has been put forth, which calls for cutting routes and jobs. He indicated that the workers prevented some of the carrier’s crews from entering the terminal.

Italian media reported that many flights were cancelled at Milan’s airports as well.

The strike by rail workers was scheduled to continue until 9:00pm on Monday and the mass transit strike until midnight. ANSA reported that the striking Alitalia staff voted to continue the action through Tuesday.

www.alitalia.com