Italy’s truck drivers call off 5‑day strike after government concession
A nationwide truck‑drivers’ strike was scheduled for 25–29 May 2026 by Unatras, the umbrella body of transport unions, to protest soaring diesel prices and a new tax‑rebate scheme that cuts the previous €0.269 per‑litre discount. The shutdown, which would have halted heavy‑vehicle freight across Italy, threatened supermarket shelves, fuel stations and industrial supply chains, and was expected to cause widespread delays in deliveries and e‑commerce shipments.
The government set a meeting for 22 May at Palazzo Chigi, attended by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini, to negotiate with the unions. Following the talks, Unatras announced the suspension of the strike, citing an agreement that includes a €300 million tax‑credit for the sector, a refund of diesel excise duties within 30 days of application, and the possibility to defer certain tax and contribution payments. These measures will be codified in a decree‑law to be approved by the Council of Ministers.
The same period also saw a general transport strike on 29 May affecting rail, highways and public transit, and local port operations—such as in Livorno—have already reported long queues and rising costs, underscoring the broader logistics pressures on the Italian economy.