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Kering's luxury brands face strikes over job cuts at Alexander McQueen

From Gucci to Saint Laurent, employees unite against Kering's layoffs. Will the protest reshape the future of luxury fashion jobs?

The image shows an old black and white photo of a group of women working in a factory. There are...
The image shows an old black and white photo of a group of women working in a factory. There are several people sitting on chairs and standing on the floor, with machines and other objects scattered around them. At the bottom of the image, there is text that reads "Amer Picon - Use de Bordeaux-Bastide".

Kering's luxury brands face strikes over job cuts at Alexander McQueen

Workers across Kering’s luxury brands in Italy walked out in protest this week. The strike targeted planned job cuts at Alexander McQueen, part of a wider restructuring plan. Employees from Gucci, Saint Laurent, and other labels joined the action in solidarity. The protest centred on Kering’s decision to cut 54 jobs at McQueen, with 38 of those in Novara. The move follows years of financial struggles for the brand, even under the leadership of star designer Sarah Burton. Between 70 and 100 percent of Kering’s workforce in Scandicci took part in the strike.

Workers demanded talks on redeployment and criticised management for refusing to discuss the reorganisation plan. They also highlighted the absence of the CEO during negotiations. Kering’s response emphasised its *ReconKering* strategy, which aims for clearer priorities, faster decision-making, and tighter coordination across brands. The company insists that stronger industrial collaboration will secure the right skills and partnerships for the future. Despite the layoffs, Kering claims it remains committed to open dialogue with union representatives.

The strike reflects growing tensions over job security at McQueen and Kering’s broader restructuring. With 54 roles at risk, the outcome of negotiations will determine how the brand moves forward. Kering’s focus remains on streamlining operations while maintaining union engagement.

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