Gucci Employees in Italy Declare Labor Dispute – Strike Threat Looms Over Unpaid Welfare Benefits

On August 5, approximately 1,000 employees of Gucci, the luxury brand under French conglomerate Kering, declared a state of unrest in Italy, signaling the potential for a strike. According to Italian trade unions, the protest centers on the company’s failure to distribute welfare benefits as previously agreed.

According to Reuters, the employees involved work in Gucci’s retail and logistics divisions across Italy. Under Italian labor law, the declaration of a “state of unrest” is a formal preliminary step that may lead to full-scale industrial action, including strikes.

Three major unions — Filcams Cgil, Fisascat Cisl, and Uiltucs — issued a joint statement saying they may announce further action at a later stage.

Union representatives claim that Gucci had previously promised to pay welfare benefits for 2025 under a collective labor agreement that covered the period from 2022 to 2024. Although the agreement officially expired at the end of 2024, they argue that its provisions remain valid in the absence of a new contract.

In contrast, Gucci management has stated that the welfare payments should be reassessed as part of a broader review of the incentive scheme implemented during 2022–2024. The unions have strongly rejected this position, describing it as a unilateral and unacceptable proposal.

Gucci, headquartered in Florence, is Kering’s flagship brand, accounting for roughly half of the group’s total revenue and around two-thirds of its operating profit. However, the brand has been facing a notable decline in performance. In the first half of 2025, Gucci’s sales dropped to €3 billion, down approximately 25% compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Kering has announced that Luca de Meo will officially assume the role of CEO on September 15, 2025. Known as a turnaround specialist, de Meo has led restructuring efforts at companies such as Renault and is expected to play a key role in revitalizing Gucci and improving profitability across the Kering group.