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British holidaymakers in Spain face summer of strikes by hospitality staff
British holidaymakers may find their getaways thrown into chaos amid a summer of planned strike action at popular Spanish destinations.
Hospitality sector workers in the Balearic Islands have threatened to walk out from July 10 after talks broke down over pay increases.
A total of 180,000 workers in hotels, restaurants and other tourist spots – a majority of those employed in the sector on the islands – are set to strike.
It comes amid a wave of other industrial action as well as protests against over-tourism across Spain.
The main flash point in negotiations with unions is a 17 per cent pay rise demanded by unions. So far workers have been offered a salary bump of 8.5 per cent.
The latest announcement of strike action comes despite an eleventh-hour deal reached with hotel workers to avoid a walkout in four of the Canary Islands including Tenerife.
Further strikes in Majorca, Ibiza and Formentera will affect all bars, restaurants, cafes and night spots may go ahead on July 18, 19, 25 and 31.
The UGT union is also demanding several other reforms to working practices, including a 35-hour working week and to increase the duration of seasonal fixed-term contracts from six to nine months a year.
UGT spokesperson Jose Garcia Relucio branded concessions made at Thursday's talks as 'more crumbs', MailOnline reported.
The union said that despite entering the negotiations to improve conditions for workers, the meeting had ended with several agreed reforms rolled back.
However the Majorca Hotel Business Federation blamed UGT for a creating a poor negotiating environment and failing to listen to its reasons for not meeting its demands.
Its vice-president, María José Aguiló, said: 'We have reached a point where, despite the fact we have been willing to address the issue of guaranteed employment for fixed-term contracts, they have not listened to our reasons for not raising the proposed [salary] increase.'
Holidaymakers have already been disrupted this week after EasyJet cabin crew in Spain went on strike from Wednesday, impacting dozens of flights to popular destinations including Malaga, Barcelona and Alicante.
A total of 62 flights were cancelled with the airline to and from Spain on Thursday, the second day of action. More Trending
The USO union has not ruled out a further indefinite strike if its demands its members to be paid equal to EasyJet employees in other countries are not met.
Earlier this month, thousands marched across Spain to tell Brits to 'go home' amid concerns over unsustainable tourism at favourite holiday spots.
A demonstration in Palma de Majorca saw protesters carry placards in front of beleaguered tourists reading: 'Mallorca is not your cash cow… go home' and 'your holidays, our anxiety'.
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