WORKERS in the busy Canaries are joining forces with Spain’s mass anti-tourism protesters, as they prepare to take to the streets over Easter.
With over 170,000 tourism workers in the Canary islands set to strike, business owners about to welcome thousands of tourists are despairing.
Nearly two hundred thousand people are anticipated to take part in demonstrations on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, April 17 and 18, in various tourist destinations like Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote.
Spain’s initial anti-tourism protests of the year started energetically on Saturday, with numerous anti-tourism demonstrators taking to the streets in more than 40 cities in Spain.
Protests followed on from a series of demonstrations last summer.
The scheduled mass walk-out over Easter is being led by major unions, like UGT Canarias and the Canaries’ Workers Commissions trade union (CCOO).
They say the profits made by the tourism sector are not reaching staff.
Canary island beach workers also went on strike in June over precarious working conditions.
After failed discussions, the CCOO union declared today: “The recent meeting signals the conclusion of these negotiations, resulting in no agreement and a standstill.”
“We do not understand the lack of respect for collective bargaining and the disloyalty to it.
“Since 1912 working people have increased their purchasing power by 250%.
“We have also managed in the last 100 years to abolish slavery, not entirely, there are many of us who are still slaves with paychecks.
“Do you really think that with 500 coins you can buy the dignity of the working people of the province?”
Unions say they want to alert holidaymakers to the possible effects of the strike but have asked them not to cancel their plans.
They also say they do not want tourists to change their image of the Canaries as a good holiday destination.
Easter is expected to be busy in the Canary Islands, especially in Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.
The strike is expected to have a major impact on the running of hotels and on Brits’ Easter breaks.
By law, the unions do have to provide a minimum service.
Indeed, unions have laughed at suggestions that tourists “have the right” to enjoy three meals a day before any walkouts.
They say they must try and preserve the health of hotel workers and provide them with the very best of working conditions.
While the exact wage demands have not been revealed, the unions maintain the need to restore workers’ purchasing power – an issue they say has eroded over time and remains unresolved in current negotiations.
“The strike could have a significant impact on the tourism-dependent region during one of the busiest periods of the year,” warns local newsmedia Canarian Weekly.
“However, union representatives maintain that their objective is not to disrupt the holiday season but to ensure that hospitality workers finally receive fair and just recognition for their contribution to the Canary Islands’ economic success.”
Head of the CCOO, Borja Suarez said: “This is about taking care of the health of our colleagues, improving work-life balance and improving everyone’s lives.”
But employers’ associations have raised concerns that the strike action might lead to security issues in hotels.
Business owners say they are worried about how the strike may impact the Canary Islands’ reputation.
“If the strike ends up being organised and peaceful and does not cause any disruption, there will not be an excessively negative impact on the destination’s image,” said a spokesman.
“However, if order is disrupted and more noise made, the feeling of unrest may become greater.”
Many hotels are notifying guests in advance to explain the situation and ask for their understanding.
It is hoped they will not cancel their plans.
“It’s clear that it’s going to be a rather unpleasant conflict but it will only be for two days,” said the spokesman.
This comes as protesters across Spain on Saturday were urged by anti-tourism activists to superglue the locks of holiday rentals to render them unusable.
The main issue addressed at the protest was the lack of affordable homes, which locals say has been caused by the rise in Airbnb rentals and apartments.
An open letter penned in March urged holidaymakers to stay away from Spain.
The letter read: “ENOUGH! STAY HOME! We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem. DO NOT COME.”
