Indefinite Lock-in At Marbella’s Senator Hotel: Workers Squat To Save 107 Jobs

In what has been called “a melodramatic escalation” successful worker tensions, complete 100 labor astatine nan iconic Senator Marbella Hotel person launched an indefinite lock-in protest, barricading themselves wrong nan four-star spot to request occupation information arsenic its guidance transitions. 

The action, led by Spain’s powerful Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) union, comes conscionable hours aft nan lease held by existent usability Grupo Hoteles Playa expired, threatening wide layoffs successful 1 of Andalusia’s cardinal luxury tourism centres.

Lock-in protestation has begun astatine Hotel Senator

The standoff reveals increasing worries complete employment stableness successful Spain’s booming hospitality sector, wherever grounds tourer numbers, up 22 per cent successful Marbella this year, opposition sharply pinch precarious worker conditions during firm handovers. David Casado, president of nan hotel’s useful council, announced nan protestation astatine midday connected Thursday, October 30, vowing, “We won’t time off until our contracts are subrogated nether nan caller operator.” The squatting action hopes to put a halt to planned renovations by spot proprietor Inmobiliaria Prico and unit negotiations pinch incoming head Meliá Hotels International.

At liking are 107 full-time positions, including housekeeping, front-desk, and room staff, who look an impending corporate dismissal via an Employment Regulation File (ERE), akin to “redundancy”. CCOO argues nan layoffs are avoidable, citing Article 44 of Spain’s Workers’ Statute, which orders statement transfers successful business successions. “This isn’t a institution closure; it’s a refurbishment pretext,” said María Luisa Expósito, CCOO’s hospitality lead successful Malaga. “We’ve projected ineligible alternatives for illustration an ERTE for activity suspension, promising to rehire upon reopening nether Malaga’s corporate bargaining agreement.”

However, negotiations person stalled, pinch neither Prico nor Meliá attending 4 consultation meetings aliases mediation sessions astatine nan Extrajudicial Labour Conflict Resolution Service. The national accuses nan tourism giants of dodging responsibility, blocking a solution arsenic nan ERE’s consultation play ends November 8. The workers’ assembly voted unanimously for nan lock-in, which besides intends to hold Prico’s long-pending 2023 renewal licence from Marbella Council.Narbella hotel

Hotel groups person not negotiated Hotel Senator workers

“This is astir protecting families successful a assemblage that thrives connected our labour,” Expósito added, stressing nan protest’s extremity to “unblock a situation engineered by manufacture heavyweights.” CCOO has rallied organization support, decrying authorities bodies for “turning their backs” connected nan workforce contempt Malaga province’s tourism boom.

Andalusia’s location authorities are monitoring nan business closely. Tourism and Exterior Councillor Arturo Bernal assured, “We’re pursuing nan process pinch awesome interest; nan Employment Minister is updated minute-by-minute.” The Junta de Andalucia, which promotes nan Costa del Sol arsenic a world draw, faces unit to mediate amid calls for sustainable tourism policies safeguarding jobs.

The Senator Marbella, a awesome of nan town’s glitzy past, underscores broader challenges successful Spain’s €200 cardinal tourism economy. With 90 cardinal visitors expected successful 2025, unions pass of “fraudulent EREs” eroding worker rights. CCOO urges crisp involution to avert economical fallout successful Marbella, wherever hospitality employs thousands.

As nan lock-in enters its first days, solidarity is growing. “Subrogation isn’t a favour; it’s a right,” Casado declared.