Italy has been brought to a standstill after transport unions began a one-day strike over pay and conditions. All of Italy’s major cities have been badly affected with most buses, trams, local train services and metro networks all out of action.

The dispute began late on Sunday evening and will run for 24 hours, with short breaks in the morning and evening to allow the lucky few to travel to and from work.

In Rome and other cities commuters and tourists scrambled to catch connections before the strike came into affect. Unions say they have called the strike to put pressure on national contract talks, which are up for renewal.

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