Italian Airport Strike Causes Chaos: Thousands of Flights Cancelled, Passengers Stranded

 A recent eight-hour warning strike by approximately 10,000 ground workers at Italian airports on July 15th had a profound impact on air travel, leading to the cancellation of nearly 1,000 flights and affecting an estimated quarter of a million passengers.

Surreal Silence and Widespread Disruption at Major Airports

The strike caused a surreal silence to descend upon terminals at Milan's two airports, Linate and Malpensa, as well as other major airports across Italy, including Roma-Fiumicino, Bologna-Marconi, Venezia Marco Polo, and Caselle Torinese. Airports in Naples, Bari, Palermo, Genoa, and Venice also experienced significant disruptions. The strike affected the entire country, from Milan in the north to Catania in the south.

Overwhelming Support for Strike Action

The strike demonstrated an almost 100 percent solidarity among the ground workers. At Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, 99 percent of the ground workers voted in favor of the strike action. The unions, including FILT-CGIL, FIT CISL, Uiltrasporti, and UGL Trasporto Aereo, received overwhelming calls for a national strike.

Demands for a New Collective Agreement and Economic Impact

The primary demand of the transport unions was to renegotiate the collective agreement covering wages for airport ground service workers, which had expired years ago. The outdated contract for ramp handling workers, responsible for loading and unloading planes and handling luggage, dated back to December 2015 and had expired six-and-a-half years ago. The workers' grievances were further exacerbated by the impact of inflation on their wages.

Working Conditions and Low Wages

Apron workers toil under harsh conditions, especially during Italy's unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit). Despite wearing protective gear and being provided with drinking water, the risk of heatstroke and other health issues remains a concern. In addition to these challenging conditions, airport workers, including aircraft handlers, receive meager wages. Unskilled handling workers, in particular, may earn as little as €800 per month. On average, aircraft handlers earn around €1,400 net, which barely covers the high living costs, especially in major cities like Rome and Milan.

A Series of Strikes Across Italy's Transport Sector

The airport strike was the second major disruption in Italian air traffic this summer, following a 24-hour strike on June 20th. Workers' revolts have been on the rise across Europe, with Italian railway workers also participating in a 24-hour strike to protest against overtime, low pay, and staff shortages. These actions reflect the growing dissatisfaction with the working conditions and economic challenges faced by many European workers.

Government's Response and Wider Impact on Air Travel

Vice Chancellor Matteo Salvini, who is also the transport minister, intervened in the situation, forbidding the continuation of the strike for a second day and threatening the airport ground workers with a strike ban. Nevertheless, the strike spread to other airlines, impacting not only Ryanair-operated flights in Italy but also Vueling Airline and ITA Airways, formerly known as Alitalia.

The Need for Transnational Action

The ongoing struggles of pilots and flight attendants in various airlines, seeking fair pay and better working conditions, underscore the need for a joint, transnational strike in European air transport. However, achieving this goal requires breaking away from the trade union bureaucracies that seek quick negotiations with the government. The formation of independent action committees and joining the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) could be crucial steps toward creating a more unified and effective movement for workers' rights in the air transport industry.

In conclusion, the recent strike by Italian airport ground workers highlights the urgent need for fair wages, improved working conditions, and better negotiation between unions and the government. The impact of such strikes on air travel underscores the significance of addressing workers' concerns to ensure a stable and efficient aviation sector. Transnational cooperation among workers is essential to achieve lasting change and secure the rights of employees in the air transport industry.