Balearic Islands Bracing for Hotel Strikes This Summer

Travel plans for Irish holidaymakers to the Balearic Islands face potential disruption as hotel workers prepare for a series of strikes. Negotiations have failed, sparking a wave of industrial action impacting hotels, restaurants, and nightlife across Majorca, Ibiza, and Formentera.

Strike Dates Set

Hotel workers are set to walk out for six days, commencing July 10th. Further strikes are scheduled for July 18th, 19th, 25th, 26th, and 31st. Over 180,000 hospitality workers will participate in these walkouts, causing significant concern for travelers.

Negotiations to settle pay and conditions between workers’ representatives and employers dissolved on Thursday evening, leading to the strike announcement. Talks concluded around 6:30 pm after being suspended at midday for a lunch break.

Wage Disputes at Heart of the Matter

The central issue is wages, with union officials expressing their disappointment. They had lowered their wage increase demands to 16 percent over three years, while employers only offered 11 percent. The Majorca Hotel Business Federation increased their wage proposal to 9.5 percent over three years earlier this month, but union representatives had signaled disapproval ahead of a meeting on June 11th.

Irish holidaymakers will face a summer of disruptive hotel strikes in the Balearic Islands after talks to avert walkouts broke down on Thursday evening.

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“We’d come here to negotiate to improve the conditions of service industry workers, not to worsen them,”

—Jose Garcia Relucio, UGT union spokesman

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that average hourly earnings for leisure and hospitality workers have risen by 4.3% over the past year (Source 2024).

Employer Perspective

Javier Fich, president of the Majorca Hotel Business Federation, described the outcome of the talks as a “failure.” Maria Jose Agilo, the federation’s vice-president, condemned the UGT union’s actions, claiming the strike threat did not foster a positive negotiating environment.

Contrasting Outcome in the Canaries

In contrast to the Balearic Islands, a deal was reached in Tenerife and three other Canary Islands, averting the threat of hotel strikes there. A wage increase agreement was successfully reached by union representatives and employers in this region.