ROME – The Eternal City was hit by a 24-hour strike by public transport employees on Friday. The stoppage was set to last from 8.30am to 5pm and again from 8pm until late, union sources said.

 Workers for the city’s main public transport company ATAC have decided to strike in addition to those employees working for regional bus and coach companies, Roma Tpl and Cotral, as part of a national movement organised by the workers’ union USB.

 As a result trams and buses throughout the city will be affected, as will metro and light rail services. National rail links are expected to continue to operate as normal.

 The industrial action has been called by USB in order to protest again increasing privatisation across Italy’s public transport networks, continuing rises in retirement age and the provisions of Italy’s Jobs Act.