CCOO has detailed the status of the negotiation of the collective agreement of travel agencies after the last meeting held yesterday with the Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies (CEAV). According to the union, after several months of blockage, in this meeting the priorities of each party have begun to take clearer shape.
According to CCOO's explanation, the employers' association would be willing to limit the scope of the absorption and compensation clause, one of the points on which the union claims to have placed more emphasis, in exchange for introducing changes in various elements of working conditions.
Among the business proposals, CCOO highlights the willingness to adjust the current system of salary supplements during medical leave, reducing the current coverage, as well as eliminating the professional progression mechanism linked to the so-called "NOL," with the idea of negotiating an alternative model during the validity of the new agreement.
Alongside these proposals, the union emphasizes a new initiative conveyed in the last meeting: the implementation of a scheme for irregular distribution of the workday that would allow increasing the current cap of 10% up to 33% in certain cases.
CCOO points out that the employers' association has committed to send a more developed proposal regarding this system in the coming days. However, it warns that the staff "cannot make so many sacrifices" to achieve the gradual reduction of the absorption clause until 2028 under the proposed terms.
The union organization indicates that both parties have room until the next meeting, scheduled for September 14, to review their positions. CCOO especially demands that CEAV reorient its objectives for the new agreement and rejects any regression in current working conditions.
Economic proposals and working conditions under debate
In the previous meeting with the unions, CEAV had already put on the table a salary increase of 7.5% annually between 2026 and 2028, among other measures, a proposal far from the total increase of 11% defended by Valorian, the majority union at the negotiating table of the sector agreement.
In contrast to the 2.5% annual increase proposed by the employers' association, Valorian advocated for a 4% increase in 2026, followed by increases of 3.5% in both 2027 and 2028.
The only aspect in which there were no discrepancies was the duration of the agreement, which would extend for three years, from 2026 to 2028.
Regarding compensation and absorption, the proposal for gradual elimination by salary brackets presented by CEAV was analyzed: 24,000 euros in 2026, 28,000 euros in 2027, and the maximum level salary of the agreement in 2028. For its part, Valorian expressed its preference to set a threshold of 32,000 euros or the maximum salary of the agreement for the three years.
Regarding vacations, CEAV maintained its proposal of 22 working days, although it accepted to guarantee two consecutive weeks between June and September. Valorian responded with a proposal for gradual increase to 23 days in 2027 and 24 days in 2028.
Next meeting of the negotiating table
The next session of the negotiation table will be held on September 14, so any definitive agreement will be postponed until after the summer.
During this period, the unions will need to thoroughly study CEAV's proposal on the irregular distribution of the workday, while both parties refine their proposals regarding salary, reduction of working hours, temporary incapacity, and professional development. The goal is to transform those general lines into concrete figures and texts that allow for progress towards effective negotiation.