Transport workers across Italy are staging a day of strike, expected to idle many buses, trams and subway trains. The walkouts are scheduled at various times Friday from city to city and are expected to cause some traffic disruption. Unions have said they will guarantee a minimum service in rush hours. In Rome, the walkout began at 8:30 am (0630 GMT) and in Milan fifteen minutes later.
Italian carrier Alitalia said it cancelled six domestic flights as its workers were staging a four-hour strike starting at noon (1000GMT). The strike was called by the Cub, Cobas and Sdl unions to demand improved wages, better work conditions and to protest layoffs and cuts in the education sector.