Italian rail workers stage 24-hour strike

ROME, June 22 (Reuters) Italian rail workers staged a 24-hour strike today over contract renewals and potential job cuts, cancelling trains and stranding thousands of travellers.

Long lines of commuters and tourists formed at Rome's central train station as rail platforms stood empty. The strike, which began late yesterday, will end today night.

''Everything is cancelled. I've got my ticket in my hand but I can't find out any information, absolutely nothing,'' said commuter Omar Bassoli at Rome's Termini station.

The strike is the latest in a series of stoppages that have disrupted daily activity in Italy in recent months. It comes on the heels of protests by cab drivers, employees at ailing national airline Alitalia and gas station workers, among others.

REUTERS SKB RK1534