The train strike scheduled for Thursday 11 June has been called off by the unions following a meeting at the MIT

The transport unions have called off the 8-hour rail strike scheduled for 11 June, a protest against the decision to split the tender for Intercity services into three lots. This was announced yesterday at the conclusion of the meeting convened at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT), chaired by Deputy Minister Edoardo Rixi, by the unions Filt Cgil, Fit Cisl, Uiltrasporti, Ugl Trasporti, Orsa Trasporti and Fast.

The Ministry has undertaken to reconsider the structure of future tenders for Intercity services, endorsing the aim of a single contract to ensure service continuity and job security. The MIT is also willing to examine the trade unions’ requests regarding the application of social clauses for the 3,000 Intercity employees and the application of the contract.

A statement from the MIT emphasises that ‘it has listened to and taken on board the demands of the railway unions, safeguarding a day’s work for millions of workers and commuters. The suspension of the strike demonstrates that serious and constructive dialogue yields results’.

The trade unions have welcomed the change in approach, believing that the concessions made by the Ministry provide a solid basis for continuing discussions and seeking mutually agreed solutions. For the trade unions, the process that has been set in motion “must quickly translate into concrete action capable of safeguarding the integrity of the national rail system, ensuring adequate investment and protection for workers”.

The strike called by grassroots unions, also scheduled for 11 June, by workers in companies operating in the rail sector, is still going ahead. Cub Trasporti has called a 23-hour strike in the rail and rail freight sectors, starting at 3:00 am on Thursday 11 June and ending at 2:00 am on Friday 12 June.