The hospitality sector in the Canary Islands is bracing for a significant strike, with eighty thousand workers from Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro taking to the streets on Thursday and Friday. This decision comes after unions, including Syndicalists de Base, Comisiones Obreras, UGT, and USO, rejected the most recent proposal from local hospitality employers aimed at a pay increase.

Workers have raised concerns regarding the revisions to their wages that they believe would negatively affect certain groups within the sector. Union leader Manuel Fitas has expressed disappointment over the need for governmental intervention in negotiations, suggesting that employers’ inflexibility necessitated involvement from the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo.

While Fitas acknowledged that the latest offer contained some positive elements, including the assurance of future purchasing power, the unions felt it still fell short of their demands, particularly regarding salary revisions effective from January.

The government has mandated minimum service levels in various areas like concierge, cleaning, maintenance, and kitchens, which will be in effect during the strike. Fitas maintains that the strike will succeed and emphasizes the importance of beginning negotiations with employers after the holiday weekend.