A major strike has been declared in the hotel and catering industry of the Canary Islands during Easter Week, which trade unions are already calling “historic.” The strike, initially led by CCOO Canarias (Federation of Services), has now received the backing of all major unions in the sector, including the Canary Islands Trade Union Federation, UGT, Intersindical Canaria (IC), and USO.
A United Front for Workers’ Rights
On Tuesday, the CCOO Services Federation of the Canary Islands welcomed the support of the other unions. In a statement, they emphasised that this action stems from a shared realisation that “the mediation efforts of the Canary Islands Government have failed to deliver meaningful progress in collective bargaining.”
The head of CCOO Canarias, Borja Suárez, stressed that the strike transcends “party lines, regional divides, or representational quotas”. Instead, it is fundamentally about “defending and advancing the rights of the hotel and catering workforce across the archipelago.”
“We are proud to walk this path together and to make this Semana Santa (Holy Week) a turning point,” Suárez declared.
Beyond Pay: A Fight for Dignity and Health
While wage increases are part of the demands, Suárez highlighted that the scope of the strike goes far beyond financial compensation.
“This is about protecting our colleagues’ health, achieving a genuine work-life balance, and improving the overall quality of life for all employees in the hospitality sector,” he stated.
He also acknowledged the importance of unity and urged all trade unions to remain steadfast, warning against accepting any premature promises from employers. “Employers owe their success to the very workers who have kept the industry afloat,” he added.
Negotiations and Mobilisation
The strike committee is actively engaged in discussions, beginning with a meeting with business representatives in Las Palmas on Tuesday, followed by a similar session scheduled for Thursday in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The mobilisation is expected to significantly impact the tourism sector during one of its busiest periods of the year, marking Easter 2025 as a milestone moment in the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights in the Canary Islands.
Residents, tourists, and business operators alike are being advised to prepare for potential disruptions as the dispute unfolds.
