Italian unions warn of unsafe conditions for firefighters and healthcare workers

Firefighter unions in Benevento (Campania) – CONAPO, UIL FP, CONFSAL, FP CGIL and USB – issued a stark alert that reduced staffing and denied call‑ups are endangering both personnel and citizens. They cite a June 28, 2026 incident where an AIB team was withdrawn before the mandated 20:00 deadline to avoid overtime costs, forcing a grain‑field fire response to be handled by an ordinary crew and delaying aid for a disabled person. The unions demand immediate reversal of the policies that push crews below minimum safety levels.

In Ivrea (Turin province), the nurses’ union Nursind submitted a formal complaint to the prefect, the local health authority and the municipality, describing daily harassment, inadequate lighting, insufficient video surveillance and a lack of nearby parking. Staff are forced to form protective groups for their commute, turning the journey to and from work into “a test of courage.”

At the San Michele hospital in Cagliari, union representative Diego Murracino reported extreme heat in several wards, with temperatures reaching 32 °C. He described staff working with “ice bags in their pockets” and warned that the conditions could impair health and performance. All three unions are calling for urgent safety improvements and better resource allocation.