Santa Cruz de Tenerife 18 Apr. (Press Europa) –
Approximately 2,000 individuals gathered on Friday in Adeje (Tenerife) under the slogan ‘for the distribution of wealth. More rights and enhanced salaries’, as part of the General Hospitality strike in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, as reported by the Government delegation in the Canary Islands to Europa Press.
Demonstrating a significant turnout, workers from the sector marched through various streets of the municipality, chanting phrases such as ‘work, not slaves’; and ‘Mariscal (President of Ashotel) listening, the people are fighting.’
The strike in tourism and hospitality throughout the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife was called by CCOO, base unionists, Canarian Intersindical, and UGT for this Thursday and Good Friday, with a reported 70% participation, according to the unions, on both days.
Negotiations collapsed last Wednesday
Discussions between employers and employees fell apart late last Wednesday after a preliminary agreement had been reached, facilitated by the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo. This initially included a 6% increase in salary mass, assurance that the purchasing power would be maintained in any agreement signed, the introduction of lifting beds in hotels, and a pilot scheme to assess seniority.
Furthermore, the Canary Islands Government has stipulated minimum services within the Department of Floors and Clean Kitchen.
In this context, the Canarian Trade Union Federation has contested the Minimum Services Decree of the Canary Islands at the Superior Court of Justice, arguing that the Government has “overstepped” by declaring that hospitality is not an “essential service” for society, unlike transport and health services, and should thus be restricted to a minimal number of individuals solely responsible for “ensuring the safety of facilities and people.”
Ultimately, the strike has solely occurred in the western province of the Canaries, as an agreement was reached in Las Palmas for a 9% salary increase along with an additional payment of 650 euros between employers and unions.
