The hotel employer from the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has estimated the impact of the tourist strike at 10%, in contrast to the 70% average claimed by the unions, and has emphasised that there have been no significant incidents during the two days of the work stoppage.
A survey carried out by Ashotel among just over a hundred affiliated hotels indicates that the tourist strike on Thursday and Friday Santos was observed by 11% of workers in Tenerife and 1% in La Palma, while in La Gomera the impact was 9% on April 17 and 6% on April 18.
In Tenerife, in the southern region of the island, the strike was followed by 11% on Thursday and 10% on Friday; in the north, it was 11% and 14%; and in the metropolitan area, the figures were 5% and 11%.
Juan Pablo González, manager of Ashotel, concluded that “many individuals have not grasped” that a 6% wage increase has been relinquished, concerning the assurance of maintaining purchasing power or issues related to occupational hazard prevention—elements that comprised the last business proposal, which was rejected by the union assemblies.
Going forward, “Ashotel’s hand remains extended,” and the employer is open to continuing negotiations, he stated, although that final proposal has been withdrawn and “declined”. Consequently, “each party will present its platform” at a negotiating table “which currently has no set date.”
The primary focus is to see the outcome of a “critically important” judicial ruling for the sector concerning the concept of seniority, which is anticipated on April 29. Following that judgement, we will need to assess the implications “for either side,” regardless of which party uses it, he noted.
That ruling will not hinder the commencement of negotiations, but it will be a component of the discussions, he remarked.
“There is a possibility for negotiation,” reiterated the Ashotel representative ahead of the union’s announcement regarding a potential indefinite strike if the employer does not respond to this protest.
