12.13.07
Truck Strike
I’ll have to admit … they certainly are creative with who gets to go on strike in Italy. This time, the truckers have quit working. And things are looking a little crazy.
I think the most immediate impact was gas supplies. I’m not sure if there was a run on gas before hand, but all the gas stations are empty and closed. And traffic is noticeably quieter today as people save what they have left in their cars.
The strike started in the middle of the trucker’s routes, so the highways are jammed with semis that have pulled over on the side of the road. We passed by some who have decided to burn pallets to keep warm. Some have set up tents with hot drinks and things. I’ve heard that tensions got a little high around Rome.
If things go on, food supplies are going to start getting low, as grocery stores aren’t able to restock their shelves.
And I’ve decided that I’m really kind of angry about this strike. This time it isn’t for higher salaries, it’s for lower diesel prices. Granted, they’re sky high here in Italy (and the majority of the cost is taxes). But instead of heading to Rome and complaining, they’re inconveniencing an entire country.
Last night during our English lessons I brought this subject up. Everyone there was in support of the strike. A couple of people said that this was the only way for the truckers demands to be met. They had exhausted other options, and if anything was going to change they had to strike.
And I can’t help but think that something is wrong when the only way to cause change is a method with so much collateral damage.
Update: Merry Christmas, strike is over! Last night around 7 PM they were able to reach some kind of agreement, and the trucks are moving. It will be 48 hours until gas is fully distributed and 7 days until other supplies return to normal. Damage to the Italian economy? €2,000,000,000 ($2,900,000,000)