Apple Store Workers Strike in Italy as iPhone 18 Pro Launches

More than 1,600 Apple store employees in Italy walked off the job on Friday to protest working conditions. The strike coincided with the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and took place at 17 stores across the country.

The unions involved, Filcams CGIL, Fisascat CISL, and Uiltucs, said new iPhone launches create additional work for retail staff, whose job descriptions have become unclear. According to Nicholas Pezze, a union representative, 'For Apple as a company, image is very important.'

The unions are calling for additional hiring, conversion of fixed-term contracts to permanent positions, and the option for part-time workers to increase their hours if desired.