The Port Workers of Genoa and the Legacy of Struggle

Authors

  • Andrea Bottalico University of Naples “Federico II”

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15173/glj.v17i2.7236

Abstract

On August 31st, 2025, the Global Sumund Flotilla departed from Genoa, accompanied by 40,000 people. That same evening, one of the leaders of CALP (Autonomous Port Workers' Collective - Collettivo Autonomo Lavoratori Portuali) announced a port blockade should Israel dare to interfere with the boats. Following an assembly attended by students, workers, and solidarity groups from across the country, the grassroots union USB (Unione Sindacale di Base) proclaimed a general strike for September 22nd. After months of inertia, even the national leadership of the confederal union CGIL (Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro) announced a national state of agitation for port workers in support of the Flotilla’s humanitarian mission, calling for hours of strike action and demonstrations on September 19th.

Author Biography

Andrea Bottalico, University of Naples “Federico II”

Andrea Bottalico is assistant professor (tenure-track) in Economic Sociology and Labour Studies at the University of Naples "Federico II", Department of Social Sciences. After his PhD from the University of Milan, he joined the ERC SHARE project, focusing on non-traditional self- employed representation. His research covers intermodal logistics and industrial relations. Editor of the independent magazine "Napoli Monitor", he recently published the book "La logistica in Italia. Merci, lavoro e conflitti" (Carocci).

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Published

2026-05-31

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 2 (2026): May Issue

Section

GLOBAL ISSUES

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