Canary Islands Public Officials Secure Pay Rise, December Payout

Public officials in Tenerife and across the Canary Islands have received some great news just before Christmas. The government has reached an agreement with unions CSIF and UGT for a pay rise covering 2025 to 2028, after listening to their demands.

The first part of this pay increase will show up in their December paychecks. This means they'll get a significant extra payment, as the increase will be backdated to January 1, 2025.

This new deal will benefit 165,000 public employees across the Canary Islands. Thanks to the agreement, this year's 'Christmas bonus' has effectively been brought forward. The pay rise for public officials is expected to start in December, coinciding with the Christmas bonus. If the agreement isn't approved sooner, employees would have to wait until January.

After six meetings and a call for a strike, UGT and CSIF have given their approval to the deal. The CCOO union is still considering its position.

CSIF has called the outcome a historic breakthrough. A spokesperson stated that public employees will "regain purchasing power and improve their working conditions." For months, unions have been pushing for this increase to adjust salaries in line with inflation (CPI) and stop the erosion of employees' buying power.

With the pay rise starting immediately and being backdated to January 1, the December payroll is expected to be one of the highest ever for public officials. The government plans to pay the 2025 increase along with all the backdated amounts in the same month.

Unions explained that this retroactivity was a key part of the negotiations. They calculate that it will ensure public officials see a real impact on their finances from the very first month, just before the end of the year.

The agreement outlines a total pay increase of 11%, spread out over the period:

• 2025: 2% fixed, plus 0.5% variable (if CPI is above 2%)
• 2026: 2% fixed, plus 0.5% variable (if CPI is above 2%)
• 2027: 2% fixed, plus 0.5% variable (if CPI is above 2%)
• 2028: 2% fixed, plus 0.5% variable (if CPI is above 2%)

By the end of this period, CSIF estimates that public employees will have recovered up to 2.9% of their purchasing power. The union also noted that they aim for the total increase to reach 11.5% if economic conditions allow.

Once the increase is fully implemented, base salaries would be:

• Group A1: €1,288.31
• Group A2: €1,113.98
• Group B: €971.74
• Group C1: €859.34
• Group C2: €717.10
• Group E: €655.45

On top of these amounts, employees will also receive seniority bonuses and specific supplements for their roles.

The agreement isn't just about money; it also includes measures to make public employment more stable and modern. New processes will be introduced to reduce temporary employment to below 8% by 2029. Additionally, there will be more training in digital skills and administrative management, with extra funds to update systems and create new training programs.

A significant part of the deal focuses on improving work-life balance. This includes more discretionary leave days, better leave options for caregiving, and an expansion of teleworking. Unions see these as crucial for "improving the work environment and increasing efficiency."

Isabel Araque, General Secretary of UGT Public Services, praised the agreement, saying it's "a great achievement. Not only do public employees win, but the quality of public services wins, citizens win, and the country in general wins." The Ministry of Public Administration also welcomed the outcome, calling it "a great step forward for public servants and guarantees their purchasing power until 2028."

Public officials are now waiting for the Council of Ministers to officially approve the agreement, so it can be put into action and the pay rise can take effect in December.