Editor’s Note
This article reports on an announced four-hour strike by the Italian labor union of the French luxury group Kering, set for October 21. The action involves employees of Kering’s major brands in Italy, including Gucci, Balenciaga, and Saint Laurent, with demonstrations planned in Milan and Scandicci.
The Italian labor union of the French luxury group Kering has announced its intention to stage a four-hour strike starting from the local work commencement time on October 21. The mobilization targets all employees of Kering’s subsidiary brands in Italy, including Gucci, Balenciaga, and Saint Laurent. Demonstrations are planned in two locations: Milan and Scandicci, a town near Florence.
Kering’s Italian subsidiary notified the union in November of last year of a plan to halve the monthly remote work days from eight to four, in line with its global strategy. The agreement was postponed until September as a grace period for dialogue between the two parties. However, according to the union, the remote work days were reduced starting in October without any agreement. The union claims that the group side has no intention of engaging in dialogue regarding issues such as remote work, leading to the decision to carry out the strike.
the union stated, holding the group accountable.
Under the leadership of its new CEO, Luca de Meo, who assumed the role on September 15, Kering is implementing measures to address declining sales and improve its substantial debt. On the 19th of this month, the company announced that it had entered into a long-term strategic partnership with L’Oréal in the luxury beauty and wellness sectors. The total transaction value is 4 billion euros (approximately 700 billion yen).