Costa del Sol hotel and catering staff threaten August strikes
Monday, July 7, 2014 @ 5:05 PM
HOTEL and catering workers on the Costa del Sol have threatened to go on strike in August if their companies do not reach a consensus with their unions over job conditions and pay.
Other employees in the sector in the provinces of Granada, Jaén and Huelva are likely to join in, although that of Málaga will be the worst-hit – right at the peak of the summer tourism season.
The industry association is in talks with Spain's two main unions, the labourers' commission (CCOO) and general workers' union (UGT) over the blanket working conditions agreement – known as a convenio colectivo, for which each sector in Spain has its own covering all firms – which is due for renewal, but have not been able to see eye to eye.
Whilst the bosses want to restrict time off, including for breastfeeding leave for new mothers, and does not wish to allow them to take any of their annual leave in summer, not even a couple of days.
Staff and unions say this is 'like a regression to the 1960s' when Spain as a foreign holiday destination was only just becoming known.
Additionally, annual pay rises will be 0.75 per cent, 0.85 per cent and 0.95 per cent over the next three years if the industry representatives have their way.
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