Hospitality workers across the Canary Islands are anxiously awaiting a crucial decision that could determine whether strike action is taken during the upcoming Easter holiday period.
At the heart of the matter is a proposed one-off payment or a 7.75% wage increase aimed at offsetting rising living costs and recognising the sector's strong post-pandemic recovery.
The proposal, put forward by Spain’s two major trade unions—CCOO (Comisiones Obreras) and UGT (Unión General de Trabajadores)—is currently under review by the employers’ association in Las Palmas. A final decision is expected next Tuesday during a key meeting in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
According to UGT sources, employers are actively considering the one-time payment option as a potential solution to avoid industrial action. The union argues that a meaningful salary adjustment is vital this year to recover lost purchasing power and to reflect the hospitality industry’s robust financial performance in recent quarters.
While UGT is advocating for fair compensation within the broader collective bargaining process, CCOO has also prioritised better working schedules and improved conditions for housekeeping staff as part of the ongoing negotiations.
Both unions are participating in the Hospitality Union Table, which also includes the Canary Islands Trade Union Federation, Intersindical, and USO. On Monday, this coalition reiterated their demand for a 7.70% pay increase in Las Palmas province, emphasising that the hospitality sector’s profits should translate into tangible gains for workers.
The outcome of Tuesday’s meeting is considered pivotal. Union leaders have warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to strike action during Easter, potentially disrupting one of the year’s busiest periods for tourism in the Canary Islands. While the CCOO has already floated the possibility of an Easter strike, other unions have indicated they may take action independently or at different times if their demands remain unmet.
