ROME

Workers across Italy took part in a coordinated strike on Friday, affecting public transport, education and the media, following calls from trade unions over a range of labor disputes.

In the transport sector, services were disrupted in several northern cities, including Milan, Monza and Novara.

Public transport workers walked out in protest against privatization, subcontracting practices and to demand improved working conditions, including better safety and hygiene standards.

In Milan, metro services were halted, catching some commuters off guard.

Small-scale protests were also held outside bus depots, where union representatives and workers gathered to voice their concerns.

Teachers and school staff also joined the strike, calling for an end to insecure employment, the filling of vacant posts and changes in how school principals are selected. In many areas, primary and secondary schools were forced to suspend lessons as a result.

The media sector was similarly affected, with journalists and other workers staging a 24-hour strike.

The action was organized by unions protesting the failure to renew labor contracts that expired a decade ago and raising concerns about employment conditions.

The strike led to major disruptions in news output. The state broadcaster replaced live programming on its news channel with recorded content, while the national news agency halted its service.

Several television news channels and newspapers also suspended updates in support of the action.