Major Strike Looms at Italian Airports

Italian airport employee unions have called on their members to strike for 24 hours next Monday, which could lead to the cancellation of hundreds of flights. The unions representing baggage handlers at airports in Milan are calling for a nationwide strike to demand wage increases and improved working conditions, starting at midnight on January 8 until midnight on January 9. The work stoppage will include staff at Malpensa and Linate airports in Milan. Additional delays are expected at Rome's Fiumicino Airport, as well as at airports in Venice and Treviso, where security staff are also planning to strike for 24 hours next Monday. Meanwhile, ground staff working at Florence Airport will stop working on January 8. According to Italian law, a minimum level of essential services must be maintained, so some flights will continue to operate as scheduled between 7:00 and 10:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00.