Tenerife Cabildo President's Budget Soars 80%, Staff Pay Hikes Spark Outrage
The President of the Cabildo of Tenerife's budget has nearly doubled to 6.59 million euros, fueling an 80% spending increase since 2023 and a controversial proposal to raise salaries for her appointed staff by up to 25%, which critics deem unfair to civil servants.
The budget for the President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, has significantly increased, nearly doubling from 3.68 million euros in 2023 to 6.59 million euros for the upcoming year. This nearly 3 million euro rise, an 80% jump, is set to fund a proposal that would increase the salaries of her close staff and advisors by 5% to 25%.
The Socialist Group has put forward amendments to the 2026 budget, arguing that these proposed pay rises are unfair and excessive, especially when compared to the much smaller increase expected for civil servants. Civil servants are likely to see a salary increase of around 2%, depending on inflation figures set by the central government.
This proposed pay hike for Dávila's appointed staff was approved by the governing council on October 29th. The Socialists believe there is still time to reverse this decision. They point out that since the current coalition government, formed by Dávila's party and the PP in 2023, took office, spending on communication, advertising, and propaganda within the president's cabinet has soared by 400%, from just over 900,000 euros to 3.66 million euros.
To address this, the Socialists have proposed removing a new budget category, referred to as "level 4," which relates to special working arrangements for temporary staff. This new level would allow for an additional payment equivalent to 25% of a worker's salary, linked to a specific pay grade.
Previously, the Cabildo had only three such levels, allowing temporary staff to earn up to an extra 20% of their annual salary if they worked over 300 hours beyond their normal schedule. The new level 4 would introduce a general increase of 5% to 10%. Crucially, it also removes a restriction that prevented the head of the press office and a unit director from receiving any further salary increases, as their roles already included provisions for full availability and special dedication. Under the new proposal, they would now be eligible for the level 4 supplement, effectively granting them a 25% pay rise.
The Socialists estimate that out of the 29 temporary staff members, two would receive a 25% increase, 23 would get a 10% increase, and three would see a 5% rise. They strongly oppose this, calling it disproportionate and unfair to other staff members who will likely receive the same pay as in 2025, with any additional increase being a small, government-determined amount.
The Socialists warn that these increases will cost "several hundred thousand additional euros" and represent an "unjust, disproportionate, and arbitrary" measure. They argue it sends the wrong message by prioritizing the pay of Dávila's political team over essential public services.
In response, the Presidency department of the Tenerife Cabildo stated that the Socialists are incorrectly comparing the basic salaries of civil servants with the combined base salary and supplements received by temporary staff. They claim that civil servants also receive various additional payments, such as bonuses and overtime.
According to Dávila's Presidency, the changes aim to bring temporary staff pay in line with civil servants, compensating them for extra work outside of standard hours. They assert that the 25% increase is not a general salary raise but rather compensation for exceptional services and periods of intense work.
For the upcoming year, the budget for the President's cabinet has been increased by 62.37%, contributing to the overall 80% spending growth since 2023.