FYI those in Italy now or coming in check their web site
By Italian law, a minimum level of train service is mandated during a strike. See this link: http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=4e0f331438dea110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD This information is also clearly displayed on the English homepage for www.trenitalia.com.
And for more info on how strikes in Italy work and what that means to the average traveler, go here: Strikes in Italy