ROME (Reuters) - Italian trains, buses and subways ground to a halt on Monday as workers staged a nationwide strike to demand a renewal of their expired labour contracts.
In most cities, buses and subways were to suspend servicesfor most of the day apart from the evening rush hour. Trainworkers began a 24-hour strike late on Sunday.
"The unions are asking for the renewal of the national workcontract for over 250,000 employees," said Francesco Lucirino,secretary general of the Cosnil union. "We've been waiting formore than seven months for a move by the government and we havenot received any answer on renewing contracts."
The strike is expected to cost the transport system 350,000euros in all, Lucirino said. It is expected to be the first ofseveral strikes in Italy this month, with airport workersscheduled to strike later this month.
Car traffic in Rome was heavier than usual. Frustratedcommuters and travellers, who had hoped the strike would not beadhered to by all workers, formed long lines at bus stops andtrain stations across the country.
"I wasn't organised, I had to travel anyway and if I arriveI have been lucky and if I don't I just won't get there. Ithink I will be here hanging around until this evening," saidcommuter Fiametta Stella.
(Writing by Deepa Babington)
