Bologna, August 31, 2026 – “Don’t Bologna us”. It was the cry of the workers of Woolrich in December 2025, when the new owner of the clothing brand, the Turin-based BasicNet, announced the transfer of 109 people from Bologna, in addition to 30 from Milan, to the new headquarters in Turin.
Then, last winter, there were several meetings and an agreement was reached that provided for incentivized transfer to Piedmont for the staff, with the withdrawal of unilateral transfers, or alternatively, resignations. But, in the end, that phrase written outside the gates of the Woolrich headquarters on via della Cooperazione had no effect.
The mantra of the dispute involving the clothing brand went unheard. The result is that from today no one will come to the office in Bologna anymore. The corridors are empty and, from 6 p.m. today, the employees are effectively without a contract.
The story of the last day
Outside the gates, meanwhile, the writings and office cardboard have already ended up in the bin: “This is our story… ended up in the trash. It is the image that sums up the bitterness of these days: fabrics, samples, and years of work thrown away without many compliments.”
Thus opens the heartbreaking text of the Woolrich employees.
There are 78 layoffs in Bologna
Regarding the Bologna office, this morning at the Confindustria headquarters for the signing of the conciliation minutes there were 64 workers, with an average age between 40 and 50 years, called to sign the union conciliation minutes aimed at ending the employment relationship.
The agreement provides for the recognition of an exit incentive commensurate with seniority, with amounts approximately between 30,000 and 100,000 euros gross.
Added to these are 14 Bologna workers who had anticipated their exit by signing the conciliation minutes already in July, bringing the total number of Bologna office employees who lost their jobs in the procedure to 78. In Milan, instead, the workers leaving who reconciled the employment relationship through the Certification Commission were 13.
The unions satisfied
“With the conclusion of the procedure – declare jointly Fisascat Cisl, Filcams Cgil and Uiltucs – a particularly complex dispute closes, which involved workers with important professionalism, skills, and years of experience. We express satisfaction for the fact that the union dialogue has allowed, within the social plan signed by the parties, exit conditions and economic protections for the people involved.”
An important result concerns the job continuity guaranteed by the buyer BasicNet, with the maintenance of employment for 25 workers in total between Bologna and Milan, as well as 4 managers who chose to continue their professional path through transfer to Turin, benefiting from the protections provided by the social plan signed by the parties.
“It is a result that allows safeguarding part of the employment – the unions continue – but we cannot forget the many people who are leaving the company today. Our hope is that the workers involved can find new employment soon, valuing the skills and experience gained.”
