On Friday, retail sector employers associations and unions in the Balearics reached agreement on a new pay deal for shop workers that will entail a 14% increase over four years. For 2026, pay will go up 4.5%; in 2027 by 3.5%, with three per cent increases in both 2028 and 2029. The agreement also has provision for an additional one percentage point increase if inflation exceeds 14%.
José García Relucio of the UGT union's federation of services in the Balearics said before Friday's meeting at the offices of the Afedeco employers association that he didn't anticipate any problem ratifying an agreement "with very beneficial conditions for both workers and companies". This proved to be the case.
The UGT was keen to sign the agreement as soon as possible to ensure conditions are tailored to the islands' specific circumstances and to head off any agreement being made at national level that would be less beneficial. The CCOO union is close to reaching an agreement with the Spanish Textile Retail Association, but the Balearics agreement "will prevail over any other agreement signed subsequently".
Negotiations had started in February with an initial demand for 17% over three years. Unions ultimately conceded to a longer-term agreement of four years, which was the employers' preferred term. Other aspects of the agreement include an improved hourly rate for work on Sundays and holidays.
Bartolomé Servera, vice president of Afedeco, referred to "the fastest collective bargaining agreement in history", which overcame differences that the employers themselves had initially considered "insurmountable". The Balearic Government later congratulated the two sides on having conducted successful and amicable negotiations, albeit the CCOO said the agreement fell well short of the 21% it had wanted.