Over 1,600 Apple Store Employees Strike Across Italy

More than 1,600 employees across 17 Apple Inc. stores in Italy went on strike on September 18, 2026. The walkout, organized by the Filcams CGIL, Fisascat CISL, and Uiltucs unions, coincided with the worldwide launch of the iPhone 18 Pro to maximize visibility and impact the company's image.

Workers established pickets at flagship stores in Milan and Rome, using red flags and whistles to protest understaffing, rising workloads, and confusing job descriptions. The unions are demanding more hires, the conversion of fixed-term staff to permanent contracts, and increased hours for part-time employees.

Apple Inc. defended its compensation and benefits packages, stating that its retail and online stores in Italy operated normally during the action. This protest follows a pattern of launch-day strikes previously seen in France and occurs as the company prepares for the October 23 release of the Duo, its first foldable smartphone.