Progress on the renewal of the provincial hotel contract
The renewal principle for the provincial hotel sector’s contract is in place. It stands as a crucial development since it directly affects thousands of workers. Close to 40,000 employees in the Alicante area stand to benefit from a four-year framework aimed at preserving industrial peace. A key component is a 12% rise in the minimum wage, approved to support purchasing power amid challenging inflationary trends.
Union delegates and employees in the sector have followed the recommendations of the Employment and Collective Bargaining Agreement V, negotiated by UGT, CC OO, and CEOE. The agreement prescribes a 4% increase for 2023 and a 3% increase for each 2023 and 2025 fiscal year. It also includes a contingency clause tied to CPI performance, ensuring additional adjustments if price growth exceeds expectations. In addition, a 2% uplift for 2026 was approved, as reported by the Hosbec hotel employers’ association and endorsed by the unions.
These figures are intended to restore and strengthen the purchasing power of workers after the declines caused by high inflation in recent years. Industry employees anticipate clearer improvement in their financial standing.
For example, with the new agreement, the base salary for a receptionist, waiter, or service staff at a four-star hotel—the model used in most government and industry programs—reaches 1,350 euros per month. This base will be complemented by three annual bonuses, plus any other negotiated supplements or incentives starting in 2023.
Fringes
Following the consensus on salary increases and temporary staffing coverage, employers’ associations and unions continue to negotiate the remaining topics. The final wording of the collective agreement is expected to be completed soon, with publication formalities including legal review, registration, and posting by the local labor authority. If all goes as planned, publication could occur by September.
The Hosbec president noted that the process demonstrates the ability of businesses to engage in serious negotiations, as seen in Valencia and Castellón. He emphasized that the Valencia Community currently offers some of the best working and compensation conditions for hospitality professionals seeking career progression in an industry that has faced doubts about stability and pay.
The industry’s leadership stressed that the region should be viewed as a strong example of corporate responsibility, with companies showing consistent commitment to their employees while government responses were viewed less aggressively in the sector. The goal remains ensuring that social programs inside hospitality jobs are paid according to the collective agreement, reinforcing the principle that social responsibility rests on the shoulders of employers when necessary.
The industry anticipates strong demand in the peak tourist months, with occupancy projections in the high range for July and August across the Alicante province. Hosbec represents roughly seventy percent of the negotiating body, and the process has been guided through shared technical and legal oversight. Key participants include regional secretary officials, legal partners, and representatives from the Alicante Hotel Provincial Association, along with multiple local associations that contribute to the broader negotiation framework.
Union demands and ongoing talks
The unions note that wage stabilization remains a primary goal while initial demands still exceed the current offer. They aim to secure guarantees on several items, including measures to improve the status of workers with discontinuous careers, guaranteeing at least monthly occupancy where feasible. There is also a push to ensure permanent part-time workers have a defined, minimum weekly schedule, guaranteeing at least half of a full day in permanent roles.
Additionally, Yolanda Diaz, the general secretary of UGT in the region, praised the agreement’s early framework but underscored the need to advance negotiations on other topics. Occupational risk prevention measures are highlighted as an area requiring further attention to safeguard workers as agreements progress.