CC OO calls for reflecting a tourism’s valued moment in the accommodation contract and urges a dedicated reflection space for tourism sustainability
CC OO has begun discussions on embedding the joyful experiences of tourism into the accommodation employment contract. The union has communicated this initiative to council member Nuria Montes and proposed establishing a dedicated space to reflect on the sustainability of tourism activity within the region.
During a meeting with the Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, delegations from CC OO’s Industrial Federation and regional representatives from l’Alacantí-Les Marines and Vinalopó-Vega Baja attended alongside Montes. The conversation focused on organizational changes and the future of the department’s administrative staff structure.
Montes outlined the plan to reorganize the administrative framework of the new department in a way that preserves the industrial area in Valencia, maintaining a logical and union-based staffing approach. The proposal contemplates locating the headquarters at the existing Post Office building on Plaza Gabriel Miró in Alicante, which would also accommodate the staff assigned to Innovation. This arrangement envisions the staff responsible for Tourism and Innovation continuing their work, even as tasks migrate from Ciudad de la Luz to the new setup.
CC OO presented its proposal to the council member as a cross-cutting space for dialogue on tourism and its sustainability across the Valencian Community. The union emphasized the importance of social actors contributing ideas on labor and environmental sustainability, as well as regional cohesion. Given the record visitation and business activity through 2023, negotiations surrounding the accommodation agreement were seen as progressing toward a concrete understanding.
The union also underscored a significant point of divergence involving the Alicante and Valencia metal sector agreements. It warned that unresolved differences could lead to ongoing collective disputes if outsourced services erode the rights and seniority of essential staff, particularly in critical public facilities such as hospitals and universities. The emphasis remained on ensuring stable, well-staffed operations in sensitive public sectors.
On the topic of diverging views from this initial meeting, the central office highlighted citizens’ concerns. The discussion touched on the rising costs associated with urban waste collection, transport, and storage. The association argued that population growth naturally increases demand for essential public services, especially during peak tourism periods, and suggested mitigating these pressures through targeted taxation, such as an environmental sustainability rate.
In parallel, the consell’s sectoral cluster initiative was discussed as a mechanism to elevate the industry’s contribution to the region’s economy, with a goal of representing 20 percent of GDP. This broader strategy aims to align sectoral priorities with long-term economic resilience and social wellbeing, anchored by continuous dialogue among stakeholders.
As part of future work, the union’s agenda highlights several priorities. There is attention on the installation of macro fuel tanks at the port of Alicante, safeguarding the continuity of innovation channels, and ensuring the timely transfer of aid from the Valencia Innovation Programme. The objective is to advance innovative public procurement, social innovation agreements, and the S3 strategy for Smart Specialization within the Valencian Community. The union notes the importance of strengthening Ivace’s support for major Next Generation funds programs, including Moves and Renhata, to sustain research and development, digital advancement, and regional competitiveness.
Additional topics of interest include independent reviews from the Industrial Observatory addressing key innovation commitments and the pursuit of higher standards for decent work in European-funded projects—particularly those tied to digital transition, the PEIV program, the industrialization plan, and energy initiatives. All these efforts are framed within social dialogue, using governance tools such as the Social Innovation Pact, the digital divide initiative, and the observatories dedicated to artificial intelligence.
The Ministry and the union reiterated their willingness to advance and implement this agenda, signaling ongoing collaboration and mutual commitment to strengthening innovation-led growth across the region.
In addition to the main discussions, there is a continuous emphasis on maintaining transparent communication and ensuring that labor and environmental policies evolve in step with tourism’s evolving landscape. The dialogue reflects a shared objective to balance economic activity with high-quality public services and social protections, while embracing the opportunities created by digitalization and sustainable development.
Overall, the meetings underscore a collaborative path forward where stakeholders in government, industry, and labor unions work together to shape a resilient tourism economy that benefits workers, communities, and visitors alike. The conversations point toward concrete milestones and governance frameworks to monitor progress, measure impact, and adjust strategies as needed. The ongoing engagement demonstrates a commitment to pragmatic solutions built on inclusive dialogue and responsible stewardship of regional resources. [Citation: Valencian Community government and CC OO records, with attribution to participating entities.]