Strikes and demonstrations are taking place across Italy on Friday. Today, October 16th, teachers, ATA staff, and students are taking to the streets to protest, the former against working conditions in schools, demanding higher wages and greater protections against precarious employment.
The latter have called for a "No Meloni Day," with marches in the wake of what is happening in France and Spain to protest the School Decree, the high cost of living, the "barracks school," the cap on foreign students, the condition of school buildings, demanding increased funding, the right to housing, and the fight against discrimination.
National strike by teachers and ATA staff
The nationwide strike in the Education and Research sector was called by SISA, the Independent School and Environment Union, and will involve teachers, school principals, and administrative, technical, and auxiliary (ATA) staff, both permanent and temporary, throughout the day. This strike highlights the economic conditions of workers and the difficulties associated with precarious employment.
Among the union's main demands is a salary increase of at least 20% to compensate for the loss of purchasing power due to inflation. SISA also calls for hiring for vacant and available positions, the elimination of job insecurity, and interventions in teacher training and career planning.
Fridays for Future, marches against the climate crisis
The day of action also involves the Fridays for Future movement, which returns to Italian streets to demand more effective action against global warming. The protests focus on reducing emissions, combating fossil fuel use, and addressing government environmental policies.
Activists are also calling for measures to limit land use and make cities more livable and sustainable. Initiatives are planned in several cities, with marches and demonstrations supporting the mobilization of schools.
