The strike affecting the hospitality sector across the Canary Islands has been suspended in the province of Las Palmas, following a deal struck between the tourism employers’ association FETH and the trade unions CCOO and UGT. However, the walkout remains in force in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where union leaders have condemned the agreement as inadequate.
Manuel Fitas, spokesperson for the Canarian Trade Union Federation (FSC)—which comprises SBC, FSOC, Intersindical Canaria, and USO—stated on Saturday that the agreement was “absolutely insufficient”, particularly as it was negotiated without the involvement of the strike committee.
Under the terms agreed in Las Palmas, workers are to receive a €650 bonus next month to compensate for the erosion of purchasing power, alongside a 9% wage increase spread over 12 months. While that was enough to bring an end to industrial action in that province, it has failed to satisfy workers and union representatives in Tenerife.
Fitas argued that the proposed increase is far below expectations, and criticised the deal for failing to address the wider economic challenges facing workers across the islands.
“A 2.75% recovery in purchasing power and a flat 4% wage rise, without consideration for how the economy develops throughout the rest of 2025, simply doesn’t meet the objectives we set,” he said.
He went on to note that employees in Santa Cruz de Tenerife experienced a pay freeze in 2020 and 2021, further worsening the gap in real earnings and deepening discontent.
As a result, strike action will continue in Tenerife until further negotiations are held. A meeting between unions and employers in the province is scheduled for Monday, after which a new proposal is expected to be presented. That proposal will be put to a general assembly of hospitality workers on Tuesday in Adeje, where a final decision will be made on whether to continue or call off the industrial action.
