Union leader rejects claim that strike is unlawful as Salvini warns: "If violence prevails we will know how to react".The leader of Italy's largest trade union has confirmed a general strike on Friday 3 October, rejecting claims by the country's strike wtachdog that the protest is unlawful.The strike has been called by the CGIL union, as well as by the USB and other small unions, in protest after Israel intercepted an international flotilla of civilian boats carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. CGIL leader Maurizio Landini said his union would challenge the ruling by the strike guarantor commission, which exposes unions to economic sanctions, insisting that the strike would go ahead as planned on Friday. The industrial action is set to disrupt both the public and private sector, affecting Italy's schools, healthcare and transport sectors, including air and rail travel, as well as public administration, offices and factories. How will Italy's national general strike affect public transport on 3 October? "Our strike is fully legitimate because we did so in compliance with Law 146, which provides that in the event of constitutional violations, or the jeopardisation of workers' health and safety, strike action is permitted without notice", Landini told RAI News. The dozens of Italians on board the Global Sumud Flotilla who were arrested by Israeli forces will be expelled from Israel within a couple of days, or face trial if they oppose expulsion, foreign minister Antonio Tajani told parliament on Thursday. "Our constitutional norms are not being respected," Landini said, adding that "our compatriots arrested in open waters" by Israel were not being protected. Meloni Landini also hit back at comments made by Italian premier Giorgia Meloni who criticised the flotilla and the decision by unions to call a general strike on Friday. Meloni claimed the flotilla has "brought no benefits for the Palestinian people" but is set to "bring many inconveniences to the Italian people", before goading the unions: "A long weekend and the revolution do not go together". Organisers of last night’s protest in Rome in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla estimated that 50,000 people joined the march from the Colosseum. pic.twitter.com/wUV432azHZ — Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) October 3, 2025 Landini responded to Meloni's long weekend jibe by stating: "I never thought a prime minister would reach such a low level". "We should be respectful; striking is not an obligation; when someone goes on strike, they give up their salary" - Landini noted - "If someone gives up their salary, it means they believe they're participating in something important."  Interior minister Matteo Piantedosi on Thursday said that Italian authorities and police are prepared in case Friday's general strike and protests degenerate into violence. "I trust in the reasonableness of the majority of the protesters on the one hand, and the well-established professionalism of our police forces on the other", Piantedosi told reporters in Naples. Salvini Italy's transport minister Matteo Salvini had been considering ordering an injunction to block the strike, a tactic he has used in the past, however on this occasion he has decided against the move. "In this delicate phase, Salvini does not believe shows of force are useful," the ministry of infrastructure and transport stated. Salvini has instead proposed "a review of the current legislation on strikes, and in particular of the sanctions for those who disobey the rules", stating: "Whoever participates tomorrow in a strike declared illegitimate by the Commission will personally pay the consequences, as provided by law." On Thursday Salvini wrote on X: "Occupying an airport runway, causing problems and disruptions to workers and travellers, has nothing to do with the situation in Gaza. These are not pacifists, but hoodlums". Warning Later that evening, Salvini posted a video on social media stating: "Final warning, given that there are 40 more strikes called between now and the end of the year. If common sense prevails tomorrow, we will behave in a certain manner. If arrogance, violence and oppression prevail tomorrow, we will know how to react." For official strike information and updates see the transport ministry website.  Photo Wanted in Rome, 2 October 2025.

The leader of Italy's largest trade union has confirmed on Friday 3 October, rejecting claims by the country's strike wtachdog that the protest is unlawful. The strike has been called by the CGIL union, as well as by the USB and other small unions, in protest after Israel intercepted an international flotilla of civilian boats carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. CGIL leader Maurizio Landini said his union would challenge the ruling by the strike guarantor commission, which exposes unions to economic sanctions, insisting that the strike would go ahead as planned on Friday. The industrial action is set to disrupt both the public and private sector, affecting Italy's schools, healthcare and transport sectors, including air and , as well as public administration, offices and factories.

• How will Italy's national general strike affect public transport on 3 October?

"Our strike is fully legitimate because we did so in compliance with Law 146, which provides that in the event of constitutional violations, or the jeopardisation of workers' health and safety, strike action is permitted without notice", Landini told RAI News. The dozens of Italians on board the Global Sumud Flotilla who were arrested by Israeli forces will be expelled from Israel within a couple of days, or face trial if they oppose expulsion, foreign minister Antonio Tajani told parliament on Thursday. "Our constitutional norms are not being respected," Landini said, adding that "our compatriots arrested in open waters" by Israel were not being protected. Meloni Landini also hit back at comments made by Italian premier Giorgia Meloni who criticised the flotilla and the decision by unions to call a general strike on Friday. Meloni claimed the flotilla has "brought no benefits for the Palestinian people" but is set to "bring many inconveniences to the Italian people", before goading the unions: "A long weekend and the revolution do not go together". Organisers of last night’s protest in Rome in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla estimated that 50,000 people joined the march from the Colosseum. — Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) Landini responded to Meloni's long weekend jibe by : "I never thought a prime minister would reach such a low level". "We should be respectful; striking is not an obligation; when someone goes on strike, they give up their salary" - Landini noted - "If someone gives up their salary, it means they believe they're participating in something important."  Interior minister Matteo Piantedosi on Thursday said that Italian authorities and police are prepared in case Friday's general strike and protests degenerate into violence. "I trust in the reasonableness of the majority of the protesters on the one hand, and the well-established professionalism of our police forces on the other", Piantedosi told reporters in Naples. Salvini Italy's transport minister Matteo Salvini had been considering ordering an injunction to block the strike, a tactic he has used in the past, however on this occasion he has decided against the move. "In this delicate phase, Salvini does not believe shows of force are useful," the ministry of infrastructure and transport stated. Salvini has instead proposed "a review of the current legislation on strikes, and in particular of the sanctions for those who disobey the rules", stating: "Whoever participates tomorrow in a strike declared illegitimate by the Commission will personally pay the consequences, as provided by law." On Thursday Salvini wrote on X: "Occupying an airport runway, causing problems and disruptions to workers and travellers, has nothing to do with the situation in Gaza. These are not pacifists, but hoodlums". Warning Later that evening, Salvini posted a video on social media stating: "Final warning, given that there are 40 more strikes called between now and the end of the year. If common sense prevails tomorrow, we will behave in a certain manner. If arrogance, violence and oppression prevail tomorrow, we will know how to react." For official strike information and updates see the .  Photo Wanted in Rome, 2 October 2025.