Latest Bus & Air Strike Warnings

The Ataf bus company has communicated the details of a strike due to take place on Sunday, December 3 from 5 – 9 pm. News has also been revealed about a four-hour strike effecting air travel, scheduled for November 21 between 1 and 5 pm.

Anyone who is due to fly on Tuesday 21 is recommended to regularly check their airline’s website as well as that of Florence and Pisa airport and if needs be, to get in contact with the airline.

The bus strike has been carefully planned to try and limit the amount of inconvenience caused to workers and students; however, December 3 is the first Sunday of the month that shops are open for the Christmas season.

The dispute, which has lead to the strike, is centred on the fact that workers no longer feel that their jobs are secure due to the construction of the tramline. Bus employees believe they will be made redundant after it is complete seeing as the public will prefer the tram to the bus. Workers also fear the shortening of the bus routes.

Palazzo Vecchio has rejected all rumours. “We want to respect the freedom to strike, however this will cause many difficulties for the public. We do not expect any redundancies to be effectuated,” says Stefano Giorgetti council member. “We will not be shortening routes and the council guarantees the continuing service of the bus lines. In order to achieve this, 4 million euros are foreseen to be invested in the Ataf company.”

To read more in Italian visit Florence’s La Repubblica news site. (karen gee)