I've learned from seekitaly.com that there will be a strike in Rome on Oct. 22 of "local public trnsportation (buses, tramways, subways, some local trains)". Since we are planning to travel to Sorrento that day, this is has me seriously worried. Does anyone have experience with these situations? Do they ever cancel these strikes? What are our alternatives, besides walking? Any helpful information would be appreciated.

Will top this for you. I would assume, perhaps incorrectly, that since the strike is against LOCAL public transportation that shouldn't affect your trip OUT of the city since Trenitalia workers will not be on strike (that make sense????).

thanks for keeping us informed about this

Thanks for this update. Since you are traveling to Sorrento, chances are you'll be traveling by ES train, which wouldn't be considered a "local train."

I guess we'll be walking in Rome even more than we expected. . .

I sure hope it doesn't affect your trip too much. Last time I was in Rome (1989), the Forum and Pantheon workers were out on strike. We are going Oct 28 - 30th so I'm hoping the same thing doesn't happen again! Taxis could sure put a sour bite into the holiday budget (if you could even find one I suppose)

It's a *nationwide* local public transport strike. Getting to Naples will be no problem but getting to Sorrento?
I *believe* the Circumvesuviana is a private company but are their employees in this Union? Or do they honor these type of strikes?
I've noticed that the ferries either strike on their own or with the FS train employees (same union I assume?).
So perhaps if the Circumvesuviana is on strike the ferries could get you to Sorrento?
GAC would probably know, so if you planned on either the Circumvesuviana or the ferries make a new post like 'Getting from Naples to Sorrento during a strike-GAC?' that would get his attention . Regards and Good Luck, Walter

Is there any way of knowing how long this type of strike will last?

I emailed the contact person for our rental apartment in Rome. She says the strike would probably not include the state railways, which go to Naples from Rome. She also said the strike may be cancelled at the last minute, so we have to watch the news. And she says, "This is the way life goes in Italy."

We were thinking of taking the ferry from Naples to Sorrento, after a visit to the archeological museum. Thanks to all for your input. Whatever happens, we'll cope.

Kathy - You can usually find the dates and times of upcoming strikes on trenitalia.com but this one isn't listed yet. I did find some information on it by using google and putting sciopero (Italian for strike) in the search. The page had to be translated but it appears this is a 24 hour strike. Others listed - and I don't know if this will effect travel:
Oct. 13 railway machine staff 8 hours
Oct. 15 pilots assoc.Alitalia 24 hours
Oct. 15 staff assoc sea emergency and vigilance milan linate 4 hours
Oct. 21 staff enav milan 4 hours
Oct. 21 staff enav saavFiumicino 4 hours
Oct.22 local public transport personal public transport 24 hours
Nov 19 pilots associate group Alitalia 8 hours.
Strikes can and do change.

Kathy, The strikes do usually last for the limited time stated--never for days and days like in the US.

this is a nationwide strike? (according to Paradise Lost). would this affect the vaporetto drivers in Venice? 22nd is the one day i have planned for Venice,,,

We will be leaving Rome for florence via train on October 22. So am I correct in understanding this strike will not affect us?

We will be heading to airport from Rome - is the direct from Termini involved??

We were in Italy in May and I had information from seekitaly.com that there would be a train strike on certain days we were scheduled to travel. Apparently the strike did not happen or we missed. I worried for no reason and our train travel was smooth.

No Lizzy it isn't . The Termini-Airport train runs even during the regular FS train strikes which it is a part of.
I have taken it during a train strike (last March) and I have never heard anyone ever mention getting struck on that route because of any type of strikes.
Regards, Walter