Industrial Negotiations in Madrid Hospitality Sector Reach Agreement, Ending Five‑Day Strike
In the Madrid region, the national union CCOO and the UGT have canceled a planned five‑day strike in the hospitality sector. The stoppage, originally scheduled for December 25 and 31, and January 1, 5, and 6, was halted after an accord was reached with the employers’ federation. The Madrid hospitality sector is represented by Hostelería Madrid, which includes the City of Madrid’s equivalent of a restaurant association and other major players such as Noche Madrid and the Association of Restaurant Companies of Madrid (AMER).
Union sources told Europa Press that the gains in the hospitality agreement include a total salary increase of 15 percent over three years. The plan calls for a 6 percent rise in 2023, 5 percent in 2024, and 4 percent in 2025, all retroactive to July 1 of this year. This package aims to raise wages across the sector while aligning pay growth with the region’s economic performance.
Beyond hospitality, an agreement was also reached for business centers. For workplaces with 50 workers or more, the typical weekly working hours will not exceed 44. Overtime will be paid at 100 percent of the normal rate unless employers and workers agree to alternative terms, including compensating overtime with time off at a rate of 1.5 hours for each overtime hour during free time.
The accord also addresses promotions and tenure. It reduces the required years of service for salary promotions from ten to four years for assistants and related roles. Disability or death insurance has been adjusted to 18,000 euros in coverage for these unforeseen circumstances, down from the prior seven‑figure threshold in some cases, and the seniority requirement has also shifted from ten to four years in the company context (previously 14,000 euros was the norm).
Mandatory training becomes a binding element of the agreement. If employers fail to implement training plans, penalties will be imposed in the form of monthly fees charged to the affected companies, set at 20 euros per month per person.
One notable area of change is the arrangement for part‑time and temporary workers. A key point is the establishment of a path to more stable employment for temporary workers who become permanently contracted. In addition, the minimum daily working day has been clarified as four hours, providing a clearer standard for scheduling and compensation.
During the Christmas period, there will be a guaranteed minimum level of annual working hours, set at 60 percent of the prior year, ensuring a baseline for seasonal demand. Workers will retain the right to decline assignments, with up to three calls without risking the loss of their contract. For the remainder of the year, the minimum annual coverage is set at 60 percent compared with the previous year, with a minimum of 60 days of work per year.
Reactions to the breakthrough were swift. CC.OO. and UGT announced the decision to call off the five‑day strike after extensive negotiations stretching nearly a year. The unions cited a shift toward a more stable framework for collective agreements in hospitality and tourism in the Madrid region, though they stressed the need for ongoing monitoring of compliance with the new terms. The unions also indicated there would be continued pressure to improve conditions as the sector stabilizes.
From the unions’ perspective, the agreement signals significant progress in wages, promotions, and the temporary employment framework. UGT representatives emphasized that the deal contains meaningful improvements and urged employers to keep working toward sector stability that benefits both workers and the regional economy. The calls for ongoing improvements reflect a broader wish to secure fair conditions in a sector that remains essential to Madrid’s economic vitality.
José Antonio Aparicio, president of Hostelería Madrid, remarked that the agreement will provide a stable workforce framework for about 32,000 companies in the region through 2025. He noted that such stability is essential to sustain economic activity and job creation within a sector that serves as a key driver for the local economy and tourism ecosystem. The consensus reached among unions and employers aims to support sustainable growth as Madrid continues to recover and attract investment across hospitality and related services. (Europa Press)