Wildcat strike by baggage handlers strands thousands of passengers

Disruptions occurred at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (LIRF/FCO) on 22 December 2008 after Alitalia baggage handling and maintenance staff attended union meetings in a wildcat protest. At least 120 of the airline's flights were canceled, and thousands of passengers were stranded at the airport. The workers had returned to work as of 23 December, but hundreds of passengers remained stranded. Plans for employee downsizing as part of an effort to turn around the bankrupt airline have sparked anger among union employees.