The grassroots union SI Cobas organized the first of several demonstrations on February 27, 2026, three days after Italy's security decree was further tightened. A new article in the security law targets organizers of unannounced demonstrations, and also bans flash mobs and any demonstration, with fines up to 10,000 euros for organizers.
The four union members were identified as organizers of demonstrations outside the gates of the logistics and transport company Arcese in the province of Alessandria. According to Arbetaren, Martino Puppo, one of the accused, described it as sensational that the first case under the new security decree targets a union strike among workers. He described it as an attack on the right to strike, targeting the country's strategic logistics sector.
It is sensational that the first case that the new security decree targets is a union strike among workers.
The accused union members are banned from returning to the municipality for three years after receiving an expulsion order (foglio di via) for being considered 'socially dangerous'. According to Arbetaren, Puppo described the union struggle as being for better working conditions and against short contracts and precarious employment, and noted that the logistics sector around Alessandria is strategically important, with strong political and corporate interests wishing to dampen protests. He also described the government's argument that the security laws mean greater security for Italians, but said they choose to attack precarious workers when the decree is used for the first time.
This is an attack on the right to strike and they choose to target it at the country's strategic logistics sector.
That was exactly what we always intend to do with our strikes.
We have taken the union struggle for better working conditions and against short contracts and precarious employment conditions, which contribute to workers being constantly pushed into even worse conditions for fear of losing their jobs.
At the same time, we know that the logistics sector, especially in the area around Alessandria, is strategically important for Italy, and there are strong political and corporate interests that wish to dampen the protests.
Meloni's government argues for its new security laws by claiming that it means greater security for Italians, but they choose to attack precarious workers when the security decree is used for the first time.