Opposition to Office Relocation from Roma to Milano
More than 50 employees at Gucci's Rome office staged the company's first strike in its 102-year history in protest against the decision to relocate them to the Milan office.
Gucci Union Claims "Rome to Milan Relocation is Essentially a 'Staff Reduction'"
On the 27th (local time), according to major foreign media including the UK Guardian, Gucci, a subsidiary of the French luxury group Kering, notified that out of 219 design staff in Rome, 153 would be relocated to the Milan office, 500 km away, by March next year. In response, the regional office of the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) union opposed the company's decision, stating that since it was unreasonable, the real goal was staff reduction rather than relocation.
Some of the employees who were notified of the relocation held banners in front of the Rome office with messages such as "Gucci is all about layoffs" and staged a four-hour strike that day.
Foreign media reported that this was the first collective action by creative staff in Gucci's 102-year history.
Chiara Gianotti, the union representative, said, "The Rome design office is the 'heart of Gucci' where all collections designed by the designers are born," adding, "Kering is using restructuring to push out employees who have been offered unsatisfactory conditions or cannot leave Rome due to family reasons."
She added, "Not all employees are in a position to move to another city within a few months," and "Employees with children or parents are at risk of being left without alternatives."
More than 50 Gucci employees in Rome have launched the first designer strike in the company's 102-year history in protest of the Milan office relocation. The photo shows members of the Gucci union participating in a rally on the 17th. [Photo by Gucci Union]
The union secretary said, "Since not everyone has been offered conditions that allow them to move with the office relocation, this is a collective dismissal," and "Many people will lose their jobs."
The union expressed concern that "the future of the 66 employees expected to remain in Rome is also uncertain."
Gucci: "This is Not a Staff Reduction... Economic Support Will Also Be Provided"
However, a Gucci spokesperson stated, "This relocation does not include staff reductions," and "The relocation will be implemented in full compliance with current regulations." The company also added that it would provide economic support measures for affected employees.
The spokesperson explained, "Through the strategic relocation to Milan, the creative director and his other teams will have the opportunity to closely collaborate with the company's strategic departments based in Milan, thereby maximizing the necessary interactions and synergy effects."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
