# Labor disputes in Italy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/labor-disputes-in-italy
> Updated: 2026-10-27T02:53:30.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 4.

Labor unrest has emerged across different sectors in Italy. In Genoa, workers at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) conducted a strike and protest march to demand salary increases to offset inflation and the conversion of precarious contracts into permanent positions. Following demonstrations, the Liguria Region committed to participating in discussions with the IIT foundation to address these demands.

In the Emilia-Romagna region, theater and entertainment workers initiated strikes following the breakdown of negotiations for a national collective bargaining agreement that has been expired since 2021. These protests, which included demonstrations in Reggio Emilia and Ferrara, resulted in the cancellation of various performances and concerts.

This unrest has escalated into a national strike involving theater employees, actors, technicians, and administrative staff, spanning from October 21 to October 30. Unions Slc Cgil, Fistel Cisl, and Uilfpc Uil have mobilized workers following a breakdown in negotiations with Federvivo, the association representing live entertainment businesses. 

Labor representatives report that contracts have been frozen since 2018, a period during which inflation reached 23%. Unions have criticized Federvivo’s proposal of an 18% increase spread over three years without back pay, characterizing it as insufficient and noting that the real value of the increase amounts to approximately ‘28 euros gross per year’. 

On October 27, live entertainment workers held a demonstration in front of the Teatro Stabile in Catania as part of the unified national strike. Organized by the Slc Cgil artists' department, the protest emphasized demands for the unification of contracts, a single classification system for personnel, and simplified pay scales to modernize the sector. Protests and pickets have been reported in major cities including Milan, Rome, Naples, and Catania, with a larger national demonstration planned for November 9 in Rome.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-27: Italian theater workers launch national strike over wages

Italian theater workers are on strike nationwide to protest low wages and a nine-year contract freeze amid 23% inflation.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-theater-workers-launch-national-strike-over-wages

### 2026-10-26: Live entertainment workers protest in Catania over contract renewal

Live entertainment workers protested in Catania on October 27, demanding a renewal of the national labor contract stalled since 2021 to combat inflation and modernize sector regulations.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/live-entertainment-workers-protest-in-catania-over-contract-renewal

### 2026-10-23: Italian theater workers strike over national contract disputes

Theater workers in Italy are striking across Emilia-Romagna to demand the renewal of a national contract expired since 2021 and wage adjustments to combat inflation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-theater-workers-strike-over-national-contract-disputes

### 2026-09-29: IIT workers strike for better wages and job stability

Workers at Italy's Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) in Genoa went on strike to demand permanent contracts and wage increases to combat inflation and job instability.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iit-workers-strike-for-better-wages-and-job-stability

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Cite as: Labor disputes in Italy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/labor-disputes-in-italy