ROME

Italian unions on Wednesday announced a 24-hour national strike of workers of the baggage handling sector at airports, paving the way for a raft of delays and cancellations of flights.

The same unions also announced a Friday strike of the same duration for workers of ground transport, such as buses, tubes, and trains.

But Transport Minister Matteo Salvini issued an order limiting the duration of the strike only to four hours, his office said in a statement.

Unions are demanding renewal of the national collective contract for these workers, which has been pending for the last six years, said national union CUB.

In addition, they demand an immediate salary increase in line with inflation, as well as employers; commitment not to increase the workload or hours of work per week in the transport sector.

Salvini already irked unions this summer by limiting the duration of a strike on July 12.

​​​​​​​“This country denies (workers) the right to go on strike,” Pierpaolo Bombardieri, leader of national union UIL, said at the time.