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Italy’s Private Pharmacy Staff Hold First National Strike Over Contract Standoff

Unions demand higher pay alongside contractual recognition of expanded pharmacy services after talks with Federfarma collapsed.

Overview

  • About 60,000 employees at private pharmacies are on a 24‑hour walkout on 6 November, called by Filcams CGIL, Fisascat CISL and Uiltucs UIL.
  • Negotiations broke down after Federfarma’s offer of €180 gross over three years was rejected as unions pressed for roughly €360 and safeguards tied to the ‘pharmacy of services’.
  • Demonstrations and presidi are scheduled across major cities including Rome, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Bologna, Bari and Cagliari.
  • Federfarma defends its proposal as sustainable for more than 18,000 affiliated pharmacies and warns that higher demands would strain small and rural outlets.
  • Farmacieunite says pharmacies will stay open with owners covering counters where staff strike, and the action follows a GP walkout on 5 November with a broader health mobilisation set for 28 November.