A few dozen workers at the Rome-based fashion business Gucci went on strike on Monday in protest of the company’s choice to relocate its Milan design office from the Italian capital.

The corporation informed unions in October of its decision, which called for the relocation of 153 out of 219 workers by March to Milan, which is around 500 kilometers (311 miles) to the north.

Labor association According to CGIL’s regional office, Gucci’s decision lacked objective justification, making it difficult to avoid concluding that personnel reductions were the true intention.

The transfer “does not involve any staff reductions”, a spokesperson for Gucci told Reuters.

“With the relocation to Milan, the creative director and the different teams involved will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with the strategic functions of the company already based in the city, thus maximizing the necessary interactions and synergies”, he added.