Hello everyone, im new here and im planning my first trip to italy.

I read that there is a the possibility of a train strike on the day i planned on going from Rome to Florence. my travel agent has booked my rail tickets for Oct 1, 2010.
Im looking here:
http://www.commissionegaranziasciopero.it/scioperoList
and im referring to these two entries:
30-09-2010 Trasporto Ferroviario Nazionale
(because if im reading it correctly, it begins 9pm Sept 30th and runs a full 24 hours

and this entry:
01-10-2010 Trasporto Pubblico Locale Nazionale

i have heard there are some 'guaranteed lines" and also that italian eurostar is a safer bet.
Can someone advise me:

Well there are indeed some trains guaranteed to run with union cooperation and these are noted somewhere in www.trenitalia.com -

The trains which run are shown here - http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

Scroll down and you will see the AV (alta velocità) trains. Look at those ending at Toma Termini starting from Torino, Venezia and other stations from the north which travel south via Florence.

thank you..i have it somewhat figured out but what i do not understand is how come if a strike is scheduled for a particular day, i can still go to the trenaitalia website and book a fare on a line that will probably be out of service. seems like an advisory should come up before allowing you to purchase.

Strikes are often cancelled.