Public workers in Rome strike across the city

Trade unions in Rome staged a general strike on October 25, denouncing what they said was the dire management of the City.

Workers from more than a dozen firms controlled by the capital’s administration, including the public transport system and garbage collectors, walked off the job for the full day.

The strike was quickly denounced by Mayor Virginia Raggi. “A minority of unionists are trying to hold hostage a city of 3 million inhabitants,” she said on Twitter. “The majority of citizens are tired of unjustified strikes.”

A national air transport strike affecting air traffic control, ground handling services and some airline staff coincided with the Rome stoppage, creating a “Black Friday” level of disruption in the city.