The first Black Friday of 2025 for a rail and local transport strike has kicked off across Italy, according to ANSA.

However, early on Friday, no disruption to local transport was recorded in Milan, Rome or Bologna.

The strike, which could also affect a number of schools, has been called by grassroots unions.

'Autonomous' union workers are walking off the job from nine pm Thursday to the same time Friday in a protest against pay and conditions that is expected to affect rail maintenance while extensive work is being carried out on rail infrastructures across Italy.

Air transport in Milan, Venice and Pisa could be affected.

Teachers and janitors adhering to the Csle union are also due to the strike on Friday.

2024 was a record year for such strikes with 622 stoppages, many of them transport strikes on Fridays.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini has issued several back to work orders to limit the duration of strike action.