A 24-hour national general strike will take place across Italy on Friday 28 November 2025, coinciding with Black Friday, the peak shopping day for retailers. The protest, called by several base unions including CUB, USB, COBAS and UNICOBAS, covers both public and private sectors and is expected to cause widespread disruption in transport and municipal services.
In Florence and Tuscany, the strike will affect regional and urban transport, airport operations and local government services. Public transport in Florence will be guaranteed only during the legally required time slots — from 4.15 to 8.14 a.m. and from 12.30 to 2.29 p.m. — while the rest of the day may see cancellations and delays.
At Florence and Pisa airports, the operator Toscana Aeroporti has warned of possible flight disruptions. Essential flights, including state, emergency and humanitarian services, as well as transport of medicines, perishable goods and live animals, will remain guaranteed. Passengers are advised to check their airline’s website or the “real-time flights” section of each airport before travelling.
Municipal libraries and the Historical Archive in Florence will open only during limited hours. For example, the Oblate Library will be open from 4 to 11 p.m., while other branches such as Villa Bandini and Bibliotecanova will guarantee services only in the afternoon. Some smaller libraries, including Luciano Gori, will remain closed for the entire day.
The unions have called the strike to protest against the government’s draft financial law and to express solidarity with the Palestinian people. A demonstration promoted by USB, COBAS and CUB is planned in Florence, starting at 9.30 a.m. from Piazzale Montelungo, near Santa Maria Novella station.
The previous 24-hour national strike by the same unions in June saw an average participation rate of around 22 per cent in the transport sector.
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