Large-Scale Retail Workers’ Strike Threatens Easter Spending

Boycott purchases in large chains on the eve of Easter is the call to action from the Filcams-Cgil, Fisascat – Cisl, and UIltucs unions following the breakdown of negotiations with Federdistribuzione for the renewal of the National Labor Contract that expired in 2019. The unions express their frustration with the arrogance of the Modern Distribution sector, stating that it has only worsened over the years.

The strike scheduled for March 30th will involve over 240 thousand employees and will include local mobilizations and flash mobs throughout the day. The workers’ organizations condemn Federdistribuzione’s intolerance towards contracts and have called for a day of strike where employees will abstain from work for the entire shift.

The basis of the mobilization is the irresponsibility of Federdistribuzione in presenting requests that would undermine the rights and guarantees currently included in the National Collective Labor Agreement. The unions argue that these rights were hard-won through sacrifices and struggles over the decades.

The unions are urging shoppers to boycott branded stores such as Acqua e Sapone, Carrefour, Ikea, Lidl, and Zara, among others. They believe that by giving up shopping for the day at these stores, they can send a message to Federdistribuzione about the importance of respecting workers’ rights and fair labor practices.