Italian metalworker unions FIM, FIOM and UILM declared a national strike at Electrolux facilities in Italy scheduled for September 15, citing a lack of progress in negotiations over the company’s restructuring blueprint.
The unions said in a joint statement that Electrolux has not withdrawn its proposals for layoffs in Italy nor reversed its intention to close the kitchen hood-making factory in Cerreto, in central Italy.
The strike call came after two days of meetings between the unions and Electrolux held at the industry ministry. According to the unions, those discussions did not yield a change in the company’s stance on staffing reductions or the proposed plant closure.
Electrolux launched the restructuring plan in May. The company indicated that the programme could affect up to 1,700 positions and that it intended to close the Cerreto plant as part of the measures.
For the day of the strike, the unions announced they would stage a demonstration outside the Cerreto facility. They also warned that additional measures, including further strikes, could be organised if Electrolux does not withdraw its plan for job cuts and the divestment linked to the Cerreto closure.
Context and sequence of events
- May - Electrolux launched a restructuring plan that the company said could impact up to 1,700 roles and included the intended closure of the Cerreto kitchen hood plant.
- Recent - Two days of talks between the unions and Electrolux took place at the industry ministry, with no withdrawal of the company’s proposals.
- Sept. 15 - Unions FIM, FIOM and UILM announced a one-day strike and a protest outside the Cerreto facility; they signaled possible further action if the plan is not rescinded.
The unions' announcement underscores ongoing industrial tensions around the proposed restructuring. The planned strike and demonstration focus directly on the Cerreto site but are framed as a national action covering Electrolux operations in Italy.