A brief period of unity among Italy’s trade unions has ended, leading to two competing nationwide strike announcements over the next few weeks. The renewed rivalry sees the smaller, hardline Union Sindacale di Base (USB) calling for a strike by all its members on November 28, followed by a national demonstration in Rome the next day. The USB’s protest targets Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s 2026 budget and the government’s stance supporting Israel. The more moderate CGIL, Italy’s largest union with about 5 million members (many of whom are pensioners), also announced a nationwide strike against the budget, but scheduled theirs for December 12.
Both the USB and CGIL are united in their criticism that the budget plans for increased defence spending while failing to adequately invest in vital public services. However, little else aligns the two groups. Meloni defended the budget as “serious, balanced, and responsible,” highlighting tax cuts for middle-earners and suggesting that frequent Friday strikes are merely an excuse for longer weekends. The traditional dominance of the three main confederations—the leftwing CGIL and the centrist CISL and UIL—has recently been challenged by the emergence of the aggressive, grass-roots USB. The CISL and UIL are planning protests against the budget later this month, but have not called for strikes.
Despite their deep ideological differences, the USB and CGIL temporarily joined forces on October 3 to orchestrate a massive general strike supporting Gaza. This rare joint action brought hundreds of thousands into the streets, severely disrupting national infrastructure, including highways, trains, and maritime shipments related to Israel. Yet, worker hopes for a sustained alliance on domestic issues like wages and job security were quickly dashed. The rapidly growing USB is now pushing for more radical demands, including a minimum salary of €2,000 per month, lowering the retirement age to 62, and stronger government guarantees for public housing and services.
The USB is keen to distinguish itself from its larger partner, accusing the CGIL of signing unacceptable wage agreements. Guido Lutrario, a USB executive, confirmed there has been no official effort to coordinate the separate strike actions. He controversially suggested the CGIL only participated in the October general strike to avoid being overshadowed by what was clearly shaping up to be a major USB-led success fueled by public anger over the situation in Gaza. Highlighting the international appeal of their cause, the USB also announced that climate activist Greta Thunberg and UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian rights Francesca Albanese would be attending their Italian protests.
Rival Strikes Erupt as Italy’s Unions End Rare Alliance Over Budget and Geopolitics
