Italy gears up for major strike. The country could come to a halt on 22nd September

Mobilisation is growing in Italy as more professional groups join the strike, and the scale of announcements indicates that the country may be brought to a standstill on 22 September. Organisers expect millions of participants. For transport operators and drivers, this means the risk of major disruption on the roads as well as at borders, ports, and around key logistics and railway hubs.

Wave of protests before the general strike

Even before the planned strike on 22 September, protest actions have already taken place in Italy.

On 19 September, the CGIL union organised a nationwide mobilisation against the escalation of military action in Gaza. In many sectors, including industry and trade, workers stopped production for several hours.

Strike on 22 September – what to expect

The strike has been announced by the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) union. In practice, this means the action will cover all professional categories – from transport and the public sector to trade and industry.

The main risks for international transport are:

• Port blockades – organisers say that not only workers but also demonstrators will stop traffic at port gates.
• Border disruption – truck blockades may occur in border regions.
• Public transport paralysis – in many cities, buses and the metro will stop running.
• Railway disruption – stoppages and blockades are expected around major stations.

Organisers openly state that their goal is “to bring the whole country to a halt”, and the scale of mobilisation suggests that blockades and delays in freight traffic are very likely.

Political and social context

Although the formal organiser of the strike is USB, the mobilisation wave has a broader character. The protest slogans address the situation in Palestine, opposition to armament, and criticism of the Italian government and its international policy.

According to the Italian media, the general strike on 22 September is not just an expression of economic pressure but also a protest against political and military decisions.