Italy's CGIL union calls a full-day general strike on 20 November across public and private sectors

The Italian trade union confederation CGIL has called a general strike for Friday 20 November covering the entire working day in all public and private sectors, including contracted-out services. The proclamation, published by the union on 21 October, refers to Law 146/90, the Italian law on strikes in essential public services.

The union says essential services will be guaranteed according to the rules that apply in each sector, and that its sector federations will announce how they join the strike as soon as possible. The proclamation itself does not set specific hours, guaranteed time bands or the categories of air transport workers involved, so the effect on airports and airlines will depend on those sector arrangements.

CGIL cites the cost of living, driven by inflation and higher energy prices, the government's budget choices, pensions, health and safety at work, tax policy and contract renewals as the reasons for the strike. It also calls for a real discussion of the budget law.

It is not yet established which flights, airports or ground services will be affected on 20 November. Passengers with flights to, from or within Italy that day should check with their airline closer to the date and allow for changes.