The general strike called by the militant unions Unione Sindicale di Base (USB- rank and file trade unions) saw 50 demonstrations in all the main cities.  Strike action did not close down the whole country since the majority trade unions did not participate but many sectors were affected, particularly in transport and education.

Inflation in August was the highest since 2023 at over 5%. The Meloni far right led coalition has passed more decrees increasing repressive measures and attacks on freedom of speech. It has done little to alleviate the cost of living. crisis. Just as we have seen here, it is equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism. It has passed a decree limiting foreign born students to 30% of any school class. At the same time after the 17 -18 October protests in Milan and elsewhere it has launched a political and media offensive against the second generation youth who live in the poorer suburbs. In Milan on 30 October students directly responded to Meloni carrying placards saying ‘No one is a foreigner in our schools’.

USB call for action

Here is the call made by the USB for today’s strike and demonstrations:

“30 October will be a major general strike, a mobilisation called by USB against the war economy imposed by the Meloni Government, against the high cost of living that is strangling the population, and against the repression of young people and workers protesting for better living conditions.

It will also be a day of mobilisation in ports across the globe against the arms trade: a campaign launched by several trade union organisations in various countries, including USB, which has now involved more than 100 ports in 17 different countries.

It is time to bring down prices, energy bills, rents and mortgage payments, to raise wages and to say ‘enough is enough’ to war.”

Banner says No, we will not be compllicit (with government failure to condemn genocide in Palestine)

USB shows capacity to mobilise

The main trade union confederation, the CGIL, which is dominated by a leadership close to the Democratic Party(PD) and its slightly more left satellites like Sinistra Verdi (Left/ Greens) did not call for today’s mobilisation. They have called a general strike for 5 November.  The USB left the CGIL decades ago because of its moderate approach to taking any action. The previous USB national action around Palestine and the dock workers pulled in many CGIL members.

This strike shows that it has a capacity to organise significant national mobilisations. School and university students massively joined today’s demonstrations. Schools and faculties have already been occupied in some cities. Palestine solidarity has been a key additional factor in the strength of the general movement. Videos and photos availble of the current action show a massive particiption of younger people.

Demonstrations are ongoing so the full tally of the numbers involved is not finalised. However there has been a strong turnout in all the regions of Italy.  This was not just a big national demonstration solely in Rome or Milan. Even the mainstream media like Corriere della sera is saying there are 35,000 in Milan and the eastern ring road was totally blocked for 3 hours. In Naples demonstrators forced the police to allow them into the port area where they were able to raise the arms to Israel issue. Bologna’s ring road was also occupied temporarily. In Rome some activists are setting up tents so that the mobilisation can be maintained into the next cycle with the CGIL called general strike on the 5 November.

In Rome and Torino there have been skirmishes with the police involving a small minority of protesters. Some police charges have taken place along with the use of water cannon. In Genova there was a important contingent of dockers who have been active in attempting to stop arms to Israel. All the main ports joined in the protest against arms to Israel – this is happened on a global basis and there are protests at Tilbury and Liverpool. There are 113 ports taking part in 22 countries from Australia to the USA, .

Anger of youth and trade unionists

A cardboard tank  burned in Bergamo expressing the anger at higher arms spending when the cost of living is spiralling and poverty is getting worse.  Demonstrators in Naples burned photos of prime ministr Meloni and education minister Bernini. Graffiti saying ‘hang Meloni’ and ‘hang Salvini’ have been sprayed on the bridges of the ring road in Milan.

One student interviewed in Il Manfesto said :

“I am in the first year of university, I come from well outside Rome and  already I was resigned to the fact that I would not be able to afford a room in Rome. Now with the rocketing cost of petrol it is a very expensive to travel in – it seems like precarious living has become normalised.”

Salvini, the Lega (far right) Minister of Transport had tried to use the repressive labour laws that ban strikes in the transport sector. Unions and individuals can be fined for taking part in strikes that the government decide are not acceptable. The USB leadership in the sector has stood up to Salvini.

Some parliamentarty members of the left of centre opposition – but not the main leaders – are taking part in the demonstration. Many USB activists and students do not see their interests represented by these parties who seem much more preoccupied about jockeying for position in broad electoral front for next year’s general elections.

The success of this mobilisation should help prepare the upcoming 5 November general strike.

All translations ACR