Santa Cruz Metal, Electrical Sector Inks Four-Year Pact
A new four-year agreement for Santa Cruz de Tenerife's metal and electrical installation workers, effective January 1, 2025, promises improved pay, reduced working hours, and enhanced job stability.
Workers in the metal and electrical installation industries in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are set to benefit from a new four-year agreement. This deal promises more stable jobs and better conditions.
The agreement, which starts on January 1, 2025, and runs until the end of 2028, was signed by the employers' group Femete and unions CCOO and USO. However, unions UGT and IC did not sign the final deal. This new agreement aims to bring stability and clear rules for thousands of businesses and employees in a sector vital to the island's economy.
Key changes in the agreement include a series of pay rises designed to boost employees' spending power. Salaries, allowances, and insurance will go up by 2.5% in 2025. This will be followed by a 4% increase in 2026, another 4% in 2027, and 4.5% in 2028. At the same time, the annual working hours will gradually decrease. It will be 1,768 hours in 2025, 1,767 in 2026, 1,766 in 2027, and 1,764 hours in 2028. This change aims to improve work-life balance and overall working conditions.
The agreement also updates daily and half-daily allowance rates for each year. It clarifies how these allowances apply and now allows workers to receive a half-daily allowance if their workday is extended by the company, even if they don't travel, provided there's a prior agreement.
Regarding social protection, the agreement improves the pay supplement for temporary sick leave (known as IT). Workers will receive 100% of their salary for work-related issues like accidents, occupational diseases, and maternity leave. For common illnesses or non-work accidents, the rules are clearer. The period for receiving 100% of the supplement has been shortened from one year to 200 days. Those who signed the agreement say this change aims to tackle absenteeism. Also, workers on temporary replacement contracts will no longer lose this supplement.
Additionally, the agreement updates paid leave rules to match current laws. It improves procedures for transferring employees between companies, requiring proof of training and qualifications. Furthermore, it sets clearer deadlines for disputes under the labor code of conduct.
José González González, Femete's general secretary, stressed that this agreement is a result of responsible negotiation and social dialogue. He noted that it strikes a balance between better working conditions and keeping businesses strong, both vital for creating jobs and economic activity in the region. González added that the pay rises and stronger social protection make the sector competitive and modern, meeting the needs of both companies and workers, while also addressing absenteeism.
This new agreement, which applies from the date it was signed (pending official publication), marks a big step forward for the metal and electrical installation sector in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It promises a future of stability and ongoing improvements to working conditions.