Public transport and waste collection affected by general strike.

Rome is braced for a venerdì nero, or black Friday, due to a general strike called by trade unions representing workers from the city's public transport and waste collection sectors.

Unions have called the strike to protest against central government policies which they claim could affect the working conditions and employment of their members.

The strike will affect Rome’s buses, trams, metro and light rail services Roma-Lido, Roma-Viterbo and Termini-Centocelle operated by city transport provider ATAC, as well as routes operated by the suburban bus company Roma TPL. However transport services will run as normal from 05.30-08.30 and from 17.00-20.00.

Waste collection in the capital is also at risk on 27 October although the city's refuse collection company AMA Roma says that essential services will be guaranteed.