Investing.com -- Apple store employees in Italy walked off the job on Friday to protest working conditions, choosing the launch day of the iPhone 18 Pro to stage their demonstration.

The strike affected more than 1,600 workers across 17 Apple stores throughout the country, according to the Filcams CGIL, Fisascat CISL and Uiltucs trade unions. Picket lines formed outside several locations, with dozens of employees gathering at Apple's flagship glass-cube store in Milan's city center. Workers waved red flags and used whistles and rattlers while customers lined up to enter.

"For Apple as a company, image is very important," said Nicholas Pezze, a Filcams CGIL union representative. "As unions, we thought this would be the right day to stage an image of protest from the workers we represent."

An Apple spokesperson said the company's stores remained open. "Our retail and online stores are open today, and we are excited to welcome our customers as usual," the spokesperson told Reuters.

The iPhone 18 Pro became available worldwide on Friday. Apple presented the device last week alongside the Duo, the company's first foldable smartphone, which will reach stores on October 23. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at €1,489 ($1,710) in Italy.

The unions said new iPhone launches create additional work for retail staff whose job descriptions have become unclear and focused on customer care. Filcams CGIL stated in a release that talks with staff revealed deteriorating working conditions without proper attention to employee well-being.

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.