Unions Vow to Defy Italy's Order Against Friday's Transport Strike

Italy's transport minister on Tuesday ordered transport workers not to take part in Friday's general strike, and the country's unions said they would defy the order, The Local reported. The outlet said walkouts in schools and hospitals were still set to go ahead in dozens of towns and cities.

Friday's action is the second general strike in Italy this month, according to The Local, which reported that rallies are planned across the country as unrest over the cost of living continues. The same outlet's Monday roundup recorded nine arrests at protests and reported that the energy company Eni would extend a fuel price cap while its profits rose.

The reporting did not set out the legal basis for the minister's order, nor what would follow if unions ignored it. Italian law provides for minimum service to be maintained during transport strikes and gives the state limited powers to require workers to attend; the wire did not say which provision was used.