Luciano Benetton’s farewell, the mayors’ appeal arrives: “He must not leave us”

TREVISO – Unions fear the repercussions on jobs, as well as the mayors, who need everything except new social alarms. But everyone agrees: Luciano Benetton and the world of “United Colors” I’m a heritage to be defended. And if anyone made a mistake, it certainly wasn’t the “founder”, but his manager. However, Luciano is asked not to give up everything. And something is moving within the group: a new CEO has already been identified.

FEAR

The news of Luciano’s farewell to Benetton complete with accusations against the management – “They betrayed me” – of having caused a 100 million euro hole, had the effect of a bomb. The mayors were the first to jump on the chair. Antonello Baseggio, mayor of Ponzano, where the empire was born, he admits dejectedly: «I have been there for a long time ongoing solidarity contracts, it is clear that this news raises new concerns in the community I represent as among my fellow citizens There are many who work at Benetton». Baseggio does not hesitate to say that «Benetton has always been the pride of this area, so much so that the association between the name of Ponzano and that of the family has been automatic for many years. Certain, entrusting the company to incapable people was a huge mistake, and this partly had to be understood already during management. But leaving it is not correct, at least out of respect for those who believed in this company and lived there. Thousands of workers and hundreds of high-level managers have passed through Benetton. If I were the “father” of a company I would fight to the end to ferry it to a safe port.” Worried but optimistic Francesco Soligo, mayor of Villorba which houses the group’s industrial plants: «Luciano Benetton’s words obviously caught us with amazement and, we cannot deny it, with a bit of concern. But I am certain and I hope that the family will be able to manage this situation as well as possible, as it has always done in its entrepreneurial history. The Benettons are a family that has always given a lot to Villorba and which for us represents a piece of historyfor this reason I hope that solutions can be found soon, in the interests of the workers, the company and the community”.

He is also very attentive to what happens Mario Conte, mayor of Treviso. The relationship between Ca’ Sugana and Benetton has been very intense for years: «I won’t deny that we are watching what is happening with concern, aware, however, that these are corporate and corporate dynamics that are not our responsibility. We are all well aware of the benefits that the Benetton family and company have brought to the area in terms of work, sport and culture. I therefore trust that these internal events will find a solution as soon as possible. However, these are company dynamics and evolutions that can happen. I am sure they will be managed in the best possible way.”

WORRY

The tones rising from the trade union front are more alarmed. «Luciano Benetton says he was betrayed – he underlines Massimo Messina, General Secretary Filctem Cgil Treviso – but those who suffer the betrayal are the workers. In fact, we fear that, after such an exit, there could be consequences for jobs. On Monday (tomorrow ed.) we will urgently ask for a meeting. However, with his exit, Luciano has weakened the managers we deal with. At least until June 18, when the shareholders’ meeting will take place, I don’t know what they will be able to tell us.” Gianni Boato, general secretary of the Femca Cisl of Trevisoinstead makes two calculations: «The sum of Benetton Group’s deficits from 2013 to today exceeds one billion eurosso it is not the first time that the company has found itself recovering from a budget loss of over 100 million like this year’s. Luciano Benetton has always intervened to settle debts, which has never made the price of the crisis fall heavily on workers. As a union we extend our helping hand to Benetton. Luciano is loved and respected by the workers. The 1300 employees who work in Castrette and Ponzano acknowledge his commitment and the fact that he has always tried to do everything for this company and has responsibly continued to maintain jobs.”

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