Taxi drivers strike in Naples: "The survival of the industry is at stake."

Naples – The protest has been simmering for months, perhaps years, and now it's poised to explode. Naples' taxi industry is preparing for an unprecedented day of action, proclaimed for Thursday, October 23, 2025.

The general strike, unanimously decided by the nine trade unions, promises to be the breaking point after a long period of unresolved tensions. A veritable ultimatum to the institutions.

The official announcement, which follows the trade union assembly on September 24, comes after an initial mobilization attempt, originally scheduled for October 7. This date was postponed due to its overlap with another transport sector strike, called by Cobas for October 5, which led the Strike Authority to deny authorization for the taxi drivers' protest.

The postponement to October 23rd, however, has not weakened the category's determination, which has actually raised the tone of the conflict.

The document calling for the strike isn't just a list of grievances, but a genuine social indictment outlining a system on the brink of collapse. The motivations for the strike are five critical points that Neapolitan taxi drivers are experiencing as a battle for survival.

The Tariff War: In the spotlight, the "ruthless" competition from multinationals and digital platforms. The industry accuses practices of "contractual and tariff dumping," with operators who, they claim, violate current regulations by offering services at rock-bottom prices that undermine the legal market.

The Siege of Squatters: It's the rallying cry of every protest, but now denounced as "rampant."

The "Predators" of NCCs: A third open front is the issue of chauffeur-driven rentals (NCCs) from neighboring municipalities. Neapolitan taxi drivers denounce the "violation of the principle of territoriality," with vehicles operating with impunity in the urban area of ​​Naples, "plundering" customers without respecting the basic rules governing taxi service.

The Institutional Wall: Perhaps the deepest anger is directed at the halls of power. Trade unions speak of a "lack of institutional dialogue" with the management of the Local Public Transport Office. This wall of silence has prompted the sector to demand not only a reopening of dialogue, but a full-blown "internal reorganization" of the office itself, deemed inadequate.

The Phantom Traffic Plan: Finally, the urgent need for a "concrete, realistic, and implementable" traffic plan. Taxi drivers are clamoring for the City to wake up and provide an operational tool that finally takes into account their needs and those of non-scheduled public transport.
"It's not a protest like the others"

The appeal from the unions—including FAST/CONFSAL, FEDERTAXI/CISAL, ORSA/Taxi, UGL, and others—to their colleagues is heartfelt and peremptory. "This is not a protest like any other, but the most crucial dispute our category has ever faced," the statement reads. The tone brooks no reply, emphasizing that the defense of "YOUR, OUR license" depends on the "massive participation of EACH OF US."

The message is clear: the time for delegating is over, now it's up to the grassroots to take action. The specific details of the protest—whether it will involve a simple stoppage of races or marches and street demonstrations—will be defined and communicated shortly.

What is certain is that Naples, on October 23rd, will have to deal with the anger of a category that feels cornered, ready to paralyze the streets to shout that their jobs, their "dignity," are not for sale.