The blame game over the damaging strike action by hotel sector workers at Easter in Tenerife has continued well beyond the days of disruption.
The failure to reach an agreement to avoid the industrial action in protest at wages and working conditions featured prominently in this week’s business in the regional parliament, with the government coming under fire for not doing enough to halt the dispute.
Opposition parties slammed Canarian president Fernando Clavijo for his poor mediation between unions representing the thousands of workers and employers. The government was also heavily criticised for what were described as “draconian” minimum services, which were decreed to prevent the strike action from bringing chaos to the industry at one of the busiest periods of the year for tourism.
Opposition leader Patricia Hernández said that only hotel sector employers were pleased with the measures ordered and accused tourism minister Jessica de León of “working for the employers” during the industrial action.
“You put the reputation of the tourism sector above workers’ rights, including the right to strike” added another MP.
De León defended her actions and those of president Fernando Clavijo, insisting that both did all they could to ward off the strike action. In some of the most acrimonious exchanges seen in parliament in recent times, she reminded the opposition parties that they were largely the cause of the action as they had not ensured wages kept pace with inflation during their years in government up until 2023.
“A hotel is not like a factory that can just close during a strike. There are people staying in them, including elderly persons and children, and health, hygiene and safety need to be guaranteed”, added De León in defence of the minimum services ordered.
Photo: CC.OO. Union
