Four labour unions representing workers in a variety of sectors of the economy have declared a general service strike on 12 Dec. The CGIL, which is the largest labour union in Italy and the SUL, an independent union representing the public transport sector will be striking from 09.30 to 13.00, while two other unions, SDL and COBAS, will be striking all day from 08.30 to 17.00 and from 20.00 until early morning 13 Dec.

For the public, the effects of the strike will be most pronounced in the public transport sector. As there are no estimates available for the number of workers who participate in the strike, the extent of disruptions to service are impossible to predict.

However, they are likely to be greatest between 09.30 and 13.30 when all four strikes overlap. Because two of the unions will be striking for 24 hours, night time bus service between 12 and 13 Dec will also be disrupted. Many employees in ticket offices and at the ATAC helpline will also be striking. For information on metro, bus or urban train service see the website at www.atac.roma.it.

The strike will also affect both local and long distance railway service, though cancellations will be not be announced until the day of the strike. Service on local and regional railway lines will be guaranteed from 06.00 to 09.00 and from 18.00 to 21.00. For more information tel. Trenitalia 892021 (