Union criticizes government stance on tourism wages
The CCOO union has strongly criticized statements made by Manuel Domínguez, Vice-President of the Canary Islands and Minister of Economy, regarding wage negotiations in the tourism sector. The controversy centers around Domínguez’s expressed hope that agreements between unions and employers in Santa Cruz de Tenerife province won’t “further undermine tourism” when revising wages in the new hotel and catering agreement.
CCOO responds to minister’s tourism concerns
The union interprets Domínguez’s comments as meaning “wage increases yes, but just a little so as not to upset the companies.” CCOO has labeled these statements as “regrettable” and believes they clearly show “who he is working for” – suggesting it’s not the Canarian people. The union questions what the minister means by hoping wage agreements won’t reduce tourism “even more,” particularly when visitor records continue to be broken in 2025 despite the lack of regional government efforts to control tourism growth.
“What does he mean when he alludes to the wage increase? Does he intend to limit collective bargaining and wage improvements in the hotel and catering industry?” the union asks in their statement. “These statements are totally unacceptable from a public leader. We know that you don’t care about the working class but you hide it a bit.”
Tourism industry defense misses the point
The union also addresses Domínguez’s assertion that the tourism industry is being unfairly singled out. CCOO argues that this shows he’s “missing the point” about what residents have been demanding in the streets for over a year. The union emphasizes that popular protests aren’t against tourism itself, but rather advocate for Canarian residents’ right to continue living on their islands with dignity.
The demands include salaries proportionate to company profits in the tourism sector, access to decent housing options, reasonable commuting conditions, reliable water supply in homes, and conservation of the territory that makes these islands unique and attractive to visitors. “What we are fighting for is to conserve our territory and not have it consumed and destroyed for the benefit of a few. That territory that makes these islands unique and that attracts tourism,” the union explains.
Don’t play with people’s livelihoods
CCOO takes issue with what they call the “hackneyed phrase” of “you don’t play with the things you eat.” The union turns this phrase back on the government, stating: “That’s what we want to say to him – with the things to eat, with the salaries of the working class in the sector, is not to be trifled with.” They extend this principle to workers’ health, criticizing votes against providing elevating beds for chambermaids, and to housing policy, where attempts to regulate holiday rentals without setting proper limits have left thousands without housing options.
Union calls for government non-interference
The union’s final message to the Deputy Minister and the Canary Islands Government is clear: “We only ask you to take your hands and statements off wage increases and collective bargaining, to stop looking only to please the companies in the tourism sector and to focus on improving the living conditions of the Canarian people.” CCOO also urges other trade unions to stop “begging” for intervention from the President of the Government and the Minister of Tourism, suggesting these officials won’t provide much help to the working class.
