Kering-Gucci's unhappiness over benefit payments: "The firm seeks to avoid making welfare contributions"
In the heart of Italy, approximately 1,000 Gucci employees, working in retail and logistics, are preparing for a potential strike. The cause of the unrest? A dispute over welfare bonuses promised under a collective labor agreement for the period 2022–2024.
The unionised workforce, represented by Filcams Cgil, Fisascat Cisl, and Uiltucs, have been vocal about Gucci's failure to honour these commitments. They reject the company's proposal to link the payment of these welfare bonuses to a broader review of incentive schemes from the same period. The unions find Gucci's stance unacceptable and accuse the company of stalling and disrespecting workers.
The collective agreement, which officially ended at the end of 2024, is at the centre of this disagreement. The unions argue that the welfare provisions still apply without a new contract. Gucci management, on the other hand, insists that welfare payments should be reconsidered within a wider incentive review.
This conflict unfolds during a challenging time for Gucci. The luxury brand, which accounts for nearly 50% of Kering's sales and two-thirds of its operational revenue, experienced a 26% decrease in revenue, amounting to €3 billion in the first half of 2025 compared to over €4 billion in the previous year. The company is also undergoing leadership changes, with Luca de Meo set to become CEO in September 2025.
The unrest represents a significant labor and reputational issue for Kering's flagship brand. As of early August 2025, no official response from Gucci or Kering regarding the latest developments had been reported.
The unionised employees are determined to fight for the application of the integrated contract. They emphasise, "We do not want to succumb, and we will not succumb - the unionists emphasise - to the logic of a downward exchange that removes protections from one side to shift them to another. We find the company's attitude very serious, and for that reason, we declare a national state of agitation with possible union actions, which will be communicated at a local level."
Currently, the unions have blocked extra work, but if the situation does not improve, a strike could occur in the autumn. Gucci now intends to make the payment of the welfare package conditional on a comprehensive review of the incentive system already provided for the 2022-24 triennium.
This dispute is just one of the challenges facing the Kering group, which closed the second quarter of 2025 with a 18% decrease in revenue, amounting to €3.7 billion. The sectoral trade unions Filcams Cgil, Fisascat Cisl, and Uiltucs (commerce and tourism) have declared a state of agitation for Gucci Italia's employees, sales staff, and logistic support.
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- The financial impact of the ongoing dispute between Gucci and its unions could potentially affect the average business performance within the luxury industry, as Gucci makes up a significant portion of Kering's sales and revenue.
- The unions have accused Gucci of disrespecting workers by stalling on welfare bonuses, which were promised in the collective labor agreement for the 2022–2024 period, and have stated their intention to fight against any attempt to link these payments to a broader review of incentive schemes.
