A new one opens New labor dispute at Nike Retail Italy. Filcams Cgil, Fisascat Cisl and Uiltucs have proclaimed the state of restlessness national for about a thousand workers employed in the 47 directly operated stores present in Italy and at the company's registered office in Milan.
The mobilization was decided after the failure to reach an agreement with the management of Nike Retail BV. on the changes made to the company's supplementary contract, on the ongoing reorganization processes, and on the lack of concrete opportunities for professional growth.
Nike Retail Strike in Italy: The Remote Work Issue
At the centre of the dispute is the company's decision to revoke some improved conditions provided for in the signed supplementary contract in 2024. Among the measures eliminated are the four weeks of remote work, introduced to promote work-life balance. According to the unions, smart working has not created organizational problems or additional costs for the company. Its elimination, however, risks penalizing parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and, more generally, employees with greater family needs.
The discussions between the parties have developed over the past few months and culminated in the meeting on June 9th. At that meeting, according to trade unions, the company confirmed its intention to maintain the changes, refusing to accept the requests for revision made by the worker representatives.
Nike Retail Italy Strike: Reduced Staffing and Few Growth Opportunities
The protest does not only concern remote working. Filcams Cgil, Fisascat Cisl and Uiltucs also denounce a succession of small reorganizations, accompanied by the progressive rreduction of staff and the lack of real professional growth paths. This situation, according to the unions, conflicts with the principles of inclusion, personal development, and well-being advocated by Nike itself in its codes of conduct.
The unions also report a disparity between Italian employees and those employed in other countries, where similar restrictions would not have been introduced. "The conditions governed by the company-wide supplementary agreement are the result of collective bargaining and cannot be changed unilaterally," state Filcams Cgil, Fisascat Cisl, and Uiltucs.
The organizations also define it as "unacceptable" that, despite company policies presented as global and uniform, Italian workers are subjected to conditions considered more penalizing than those applied abroad.
Nike Retail Strike in Italy: Initial Action Plans
The state of agitation will be accompanied by assemblies in different workplaces, with the aim of informing and involving staff on the evolution of the dispute. Among the first initiatives announced are the blocking of non-essential activities and the suspension of additional services that involve extended hours or tasks in addition to normal work activity.
"We call on the company to reverse its decisions, restore proper industrial relations, and reopen a constructive dialogue on work organization and the future of workers," the three unions stated.
The unions have said available to return to the table if Nike decides to reopen negotiations based on compliance with the signed agreements. Otherwise, new protests could be called.
