Upcoming Italian Port Strikes: Anticipate Significant Shipping Delays

According to media reports, Italian union port workers plan to strike from 2 to 5 July, with protests scheduled across Italy from 1 to 7 July. Port services and shipping may be disrupted. Shippers with recent shipments to Italy should be aware of potential logistics delays.

Despite six months of contract negotiations, Italy’s transport unions and employers have failed to reach an agreement. There are still differences in the negotiation terms. Union leaders are calling for strike action over their members’ work contract negotiations, including demands for wage increases.

The Uiltrasporti union will strike from 2 to 3 July , while the FILT CGIL and FIT CISL unions will strike from 4 to 5 July. These different strike periods may have a cumulative impact on port operations, and the strikes are expected to affect all ports in the country.

“After more than six months of negotiations, we are still far from providing a concrete answer to the basic needs of Italian dockworkers,” Uiltrasporti said in a statement. The union demands a new collective labor agreement, which includes economic increases to restore workers’ lost purchasing power.

The unions hope that before the strike dates, the employers’ association will present improved proposals to resume negotiations.

Kuehne+Nagel has issued a warning on its website: Italian transport workers will strike in the first week of July.

Protests may take place at ports nationwide, and increased security measures might be implemented, potentially causing local traffic disruptions. Clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement cannot be ruled out. During the affected period, port services and shipping may be disrupted, and this disruption could continue until 6 July.

Shippers and Consignee with recent shipments must closely monitor the impact of the strike activities on cargo transportation to avoid unnecessary losses due to delays and disruptions.