Rome [Italy], July 14: A nationwide strike of transport workers began in Italy on Thursday, with staff of two major railway companies walking out of work in the morning.
Italy's main unions called for the strike of Trenitalia and Italo workers, complaining about staffing shortages and excessive overtime, minimum salaries and other work conditions.
Staff of the state-owned railway company Trenitalia, and employees of the private competitor Italo, stopped work at 3am (0100 GMT) on Thursday morning.
Operations are set to resume immediately after the strike is over, Trenitalia said on Wednesday evening.
However, it is expected that the delays, some of them severe, could extend throughout the day.
Originally, the walkout was to last until 2am on Friday morning.
After failed negotiations with unions, Italy's Infrastructure and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini issued an order to shorten the strike to 12 hours, prompting criticism from several unions.
Further travel disruptions are planned for the weekend.
A strike at airports has been announced for Saturday. Ground staff plan to walk out of work from 10am to 6pm.
Malta Air pilots, who operate Ryanair flights in Italy, also plan to strike on Saturday from 12 to 4pm.
In addition, pilots and flight attendants from the low-cost airline Vueling are also being called to strike on Saturday from 10am to 6pm.
Source: Qatar Tribune