NATIONWIDE STRIKE BY SOME INDEPENDENT UNIONS SET FOR 23 OCT

Independent unions are planning to stage a nationwide general strike on 23 October 2009. The RdB, Sdl intecategoriale and Cobas unions called the strike, which will involve workers from both the public and private sectors, over the government’s response to the economic crisis among other issues. The public sector strike is expected to affect schools, universities, government ministries, financial institutions and various agencies at the local level. Although the strike's duration is 24 hours, some limitations have been set for the transport sectors. Air transport workers will be limited to striking for four hours, from 1200 to 1600 local time, while train workers are scheduled to strike from 1100 to 1500 local time. The State Railway Group has announced that medium and long-distance trains will be running on schedule despite the action, and disruptions to commuter traffic will likely be minimized, as the hours of the strike fall outside of rush hour. Workers on the underground and urban railways in Rome will strike from 2000 to 2400 local time, while municipal public transport strikes in other cities will vary by location. In relation to the strike, a march will begin at Rome's Republic Square at 1000 local time and will proceed to San Giovanni Square; disruptions on Cavour Road, Merulana Road and Manzoni Avenue are likely during the procession.