A 24-hour national railway workers strike took place in Italy starting at 9:18 p.m. on Monday, September 7, 2026, and ended at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, except for the private operator Italo, whose strike ended at 9:17 p.m. The stoppage involved major train operators including Trenitalia, Italo, Trenord, and Trenitalia Tper, which runs regional services in Emilia-Romagna.
National Rail Services Affected Across Italy
The strike impacted virtually the entire Italian rail network, disrupting regional and high-speed Frecce trains on key routes linking cities such as Turin, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, and Salerno. Operations were suspended or delayed across Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, and Trentino-South
Tyrol, with additional local protests and public transport suspensions in South Tyrol. Trenord’s regional services in Lombardy and Trenitalia Tper trains in Emilia-Romagna also experienced major interruptions.
Guaranteed Services and Passenger Compensation
During strike days, guaranteed regional train services ran only from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays. High-speed Frecce and Intercity trains did not benefit from these guaranteed time slots, with each carrier publishing specific lists of trains confirmed to operate during the strike. Trenitalia released such lists encouraging passengers to verify their train status ahead of travel. Passengers with canceled trains were entitled to full refunds
and could rebook on alternative trains free of charge, generally up to four hours before departure. Refund requests for regional trains had to be submitted by midnight the day before the strike, while refunds for long-distance trains were accepted up to departure.
Union Participation and Strike Background
The strike was coordinated by unions CUB Trasporti, SGB, ORSA Ferrovie, and Assemblea nazionale del Personale di Macchina e di Bordo. Workers demanded improved wages, better shifts, reduced workload, and enhanced safety conditions. The strike was part of a series planned across Italy’s transport sector in September 2026, with subsequent strikes scheduled for public transportation on September 15,
the aviation sector on September 13 and 30, and a general strike on September 26, as outlined by Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation.
Passenger Advisory and Travel Planning
Passengers were advised to consult official railway websites or apps to check their train’s operation status before traveling on September 7 and 8. Outside the guaranteed service windows, regional trains faced likely cancellations or delays. Long-distance travelers were urged not to rely solely on regular timetables due to possible rerouting and cancellations. City public transportation faced additional suspensions in affected regions, especially South Tyrol. Travelers were reminded that only officially canceled trains justified full ticket refunds,
while delays triggered standard compensation rules. The ongoing transport sector unrest required passengers and tourists to anticipate disruptions affecting routes connecting Turin, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, Salerno, and regional hubs.
