Apple employees in Italy announce strike during iPhone 18 launch

Approximately 1,600 Apple Store employees in Italy have announced a national strike scheduled for September 18, coinciding with the official launch of the iPhone 18. The walkout will affect entire shifts across 17 stores, including major locations in Milan and Rome.

The strike is organized by the unions Filcams Cgil, Fisascat Cisl, and Uiltucs. Workers are protesting against increasing workloads, insufficient staffing levels, and high productivity pressure resulting from new organizational processes.

Union representatives state that Apple's previous responses to labor concerns have been inadequate. While the company offered to increase and accelerate the hiring of temporary staff, workers are demanding a more comprehensive plan. Key demands include a coordinated hiring strategy, the conversion of some fixed-term contracts into permanent positions, and the option for part-time employees to voluntarily increase their working hours.