Italian factories face worker layoffs, safety probes and uncertain future
On 29 July 2026 the Italian government met with union leaders from FIM, FIOM and UILM and ThyssenKrupp automotive‑technology head Dr. D. Buchman to discuss the future of the Berco plant in Copparo. The unions warned that the industrial plan presented over two years ago was only a summary and demanded a complete revitalisation plan and a new management team. ThyssenKrupp replied that a definitive plan will be postponed until the autumn meeting when missing executive positions are filled.
In the southern region of Basilicata, about 55 workers of Stellantis’ logistics subsidiary (FDM) at the Melfi plant remain on extended Cassa Integrazione. Sources say that from 8 August they could receive NASpI unemployment benefits, although the regional assessor Francesco Cupparo has not issued an official statement.
Separately, on 23 July 2026 the Provincial Observatory on workplace safety in Trapani, chaired by Prefect Daniela Lupo, held a conference on the risk of thermal stress during heat waves. Authorities – including the Labour Inspectorate, INAIL, fire services and municipal officials – presented a practical guide, “Prevenire il rischio da stress termico”, to help employers protect workers under national safety regulations.
Entities: Berco S.p.A. · Berco plant (Copparo) · Copparo Plant · Daniela Lupo · Dr. Buchman · Francesco Cupparo · Italian Government · Stellantis N.V. · Thyssenkrupp AG
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] ThyssenKrupp committed to continue efforts to increase Berco’s competitiveness and maintain contacts with defense industry groups. (article 1)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Union representatives said the industrial plan presented more than 24 months ago was only a summary and not a complete definitive plan. (article 1)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A meeting was held on 29 July 2026 at the Italian Ministry of Made in Italy in Rome with government officials, trade union leaders and Dr. Buchman of ThyssenKrupp. (article 1)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] ThyssenKrupp stated that a final industrial plan will not be ready soon but new negotiations will take place in autumn after the missing senior positions are filled. (article 1)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Italian government announced the recent departures of Giacomo Bottone (managing director) and Alida Malatrasi (HR director) from Berco. (article 1)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] ThyssenKrupp said a definitive industrial plan for Berco will be discussed in autumn when missing executive positions are filled. (article 1)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Unions say the industrial plan presented over 24 months ago for Berco was only a summary and request a full revitalisation plan. (article 1)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Italian government, unions (FIM, FIOM, UILM) and ThyssenKrupp chairman Dr. D. Buchman met on 29 July 2026 to discuss the future of the Berco plant in Copparo. (article 1)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Around 55 Stellantis logistics workers (FDM) at Melfi are on Cassa Integrazione and could start receiving NASpI benefits on 8 August. (article 2)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Trapani meeting produced a guide titled “Prevenire il rischio da stress termico” for employers and workers. (article 3)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] On 23 July 2026 the Provincial Observatory on workplace safety in Trapani, chaired by Prefect Daniela Lupo, held a conference on thermal‑stress risk. (article 3)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Regional assessor Francesco Cupparo has not issued an official statement regarding the NASpI decision for Melfi workers. (article 2)