Employees of the French luxury goods group Kering will go on strike on Wednesday, May 20th. The reason for this decision is the management’s unwillingness to discuss the “ReconKering” reorganization plan. The employee representatives explained this in a statement.
The plan was never presented to the unions. Another reason is the 54 announced layoffs at Alexander McQueen, for which the company does not want to take any social cushioning measures.
Therefore, the national secretariats of Filctem Cgil, Femca Cisl and Uiltec Uil have declared a day of strike on May 20 in all companies of the Kering group. A demonstration is planned in Florence, and further actions will take place in other regions.
“We demand the immediate reversal of the layoffs, the protection of all jobs through social cushioning measures and the search for alternative solutions to the layoffs. These are currently viewed by the group as a ‘negligible variable’. But above all, relations with the unions must be revived. A channel must be reopened with the union representatives in order to finally explain to us what the ‘ReconKering’ restructuring plan consists of and how to prevent the employees from bearing the costs for it wear,” the statement says.
“The approach that is taking place at Alexander McQueen is unacceptable. It would set an unpleasant precedent in dealing with employment problems that require a joint solution. The possible impact of any decision on employment must be taken into account, both within the group and in the associated production chains. We once again call for a short-term meeting to discuss the business plans of each of the group’s brands. An approach without union discussion is not possible,” concluded the trade union organizations.
Meeting with union representatives planned for early June
Meanwhile, in a statement received late on Thursday afternoon, Kering reiterated, as announced several months ago, that McQueen is undergoing a collective workforce reduction process. This concerns the brand’s activities in Italy. “This difficult decision is in line with the evolution of the company’s business model and the strategic review of its global activities. The aim is to reorient the business towards sustainable profitability in the coming years while laying the foundations for its long-term development.”
“As far as Kering’s strategy is concerned, the group has always strived to maintain a constructive dialogue with the union representatives. The group’s strategy will continue to be shared in regular meetings with the employee representatives according to a long-established and communicated schedule. The next meeting is scheduled for the beginning of June,” the company’s management added.
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