Urgent Meeting Between Hospitality Employers in the Canary Islands and Unions to Resolve Conflict in the Sector. On one side, worker representatives are advocating for a pay rise to enhance the purchasing power of employees in this industry amidst record revenue from tourism. Conversely, employers are maintaining that existing agreements from both provinces are still active – the one for Las Palmas until January 2026 and the one for Santa Cruz de Tenerife expiring in July of the same year – which already include provisions for salary increases. Unions now argue that these increments are insufficient in light of the markedly different circumstances today. Acting as a mediator, Tourism Minister Jessica de León has been approached by unions requesting that social players work to alleviate tensions and avert a strike, which Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) has called for Holy Week, while other organisations may still engage in a walkout if a resolution is not reached beforehand.
The Ministry of Tourism has responded to the unions’ call and has arranged for a meeting on Tuesday, March 18, bringing together employers and unions to negotiate. The aim is to progress in drafting the new legal frameworks governing both provinces. De León has made it clear that the administration will only act as an arbiter in this matter, and it is essential for the social agents to arrive at a consensus. She has taken a conciliatory approach, balancing the demands for improvement in working conditions during this favourable period for the tourism sector with the employers’ defence of the continuity of previously signed agreements.
However, The existing rift within the employers’ association and among various unions regarding claims and their responses complicates the process of fostering dialogue. The proposal to unify under a single sectoral agreement at the regional level — which appeals to some social agents while alienating others — may lead to even greater divergence in viewpoints.
Among employers, The desire of major chains to establish an organisation independent of the Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro hotel and extrahotel association (Ashotel) to gain a stronger voice at the negotiation tables has fragmented business unity. There is a backdrop of a potential regional agreement that large hotel chains might support, frustrated with varying pay rates across provinces. It is important to note that the salary conditions under both agreements differ significantly. While the base salaries in the eastern province are higher, the Tenerife agreement includes “salary pacts” that enable substantial pay increases in larger hotels, most of which belong to major national firms. Consequently, some speculate that this movement may aim to eliminate such mechanisms, which even allow some hotel staff to earn more than the agreements in Las Palmas stipulate.
Nevertheless, The concept of a Regional Agreement also finds favour with parts of the Tenerife business community, which appreciates certain aspects of the agreement from the other province. All parties acknowledge the necessity of sitting down to negotiate, but business owners also express a desire to discuss additional topics beyond the salary rises sought by unions. They believe that rising absenteeism and increasing production costs should be included on the agenda for negotiations.
However, The unions arrive at this meeting divided. CCOO, UGT, and the Canarian Trade Union Federation, which comprises the SBC and FSOC unions, as well as the Canarian Intersindical and Use, have established a union unity to collectively address demands for improvements in the hospitality sector and coordinate actions. In January, CCOO announced its withdrawal from this collective negotiation, citing unfair treatment towards the base union, and has now issued a notice of impending strikes for Thursday and Good Friday. Despite being invited to the meeting on March 18 in Tenerife, Comisiones Obreras has opted not to attend, asserting that the strike committee should convene rather than participate in this meeting organised by the Ministry of Tourism.
