Majorca holidays could soon be blighted by mountains of rubbish piling up outside hotels. The tourist warning comes as bin men on the island off Spain threaten to go on an indefinite strike next month in a dispute over pay and conditions. Around 2.3 million Britons head to Majorca every year but the strike could affect August holidays on the entire island. Tourists have been warned to expect mountains of rubbish if the walkout goes ahead on 22 August. The planned strike will be put to a vote next Tuesday.
Local press say refuse collectors from four subcontractors working on the island, Melchor Mascaro, FCC, Ferrovial and Urbaser, will be asked to join the walkout.
Industrial action is expected to affect the whole island apart from the municipalities of Palma and Calvia which includes Magaluf.
Union leaders have warned any strike is likely to be indefinite, with the walkout continuing until bosses agree to meet.
They want to discuss a collective regional agreement unifying wages and conditions for around 3,000 workers.
The unions are thought to be seeking wage rises which would see drivers getting around €1,300 (£1,191) a month and the rubbish collectors a minimum of €1,000 (£917) a month.
Workers’ Commission leader Miguel Pardo warned earlier this month bin men have made it clear to him they intend striking but want to give bosses a “last chance” to accept negotiations before they call a walkout.
In 2017 a cleaners’ strike took place in the Spanish neighbouring island of Ibiza.
Travellers took to social media to show how Ibiza Airport had turned into a “disgusting” rubbish dump during the action.
Videos showed piles of refuse in public areas, including old food and nappies strewn across the floor.
This summer, it’s hotel maids who are planning to go on strike in Ibiza. The female hotel chambermaids – known as ‘Kellys’ in Spain – have had enough of their workload.
They claim their work is akin to “slavery” and is causing them both stress and injury.
“We are presented each day with a list and the number of rooms to clean. Are waiters paid according to how many cups of coffee they serve?” one chambermaid said during a protest meeting in a park in Ibiza.
The strike in Ibiza will take place in August on two consecutive days – although the exact dates have yet to be confirmed.
There is also a call for hotel maids on the neighbouring Balearic islands of Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera to join in the walkout.
The industrial action on the popular island would leave holidaymakers’ hotel rooms unclean, with beds not changed and no new towels for at least 48 hours.
Holidaymakers heading to Spain should also be aware of the latest travel warnings for summer 2019.
“Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Spain,” according to the UK government. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issues travel advice on its website.
It says: “Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. The Spanish authorities take measures to protect visitors, but you should be vigilant and follow the instructions of the local authorities.”
