Devesa Abogados has provided legal advice to HOSBEC (the Hotel and Tourism Business Association of the Valencian Community) in negotiating the pre-agreement for the hospitality sector collective agreement for the province of Valencia.
The advisory work was led by José Luis Valverde, partner and head of the Employment Department at Devesa Abogados, who took an active part in the various stages of the negotiation, contributing the technical rigour and legal certainty needed to reach an agreement.
According to the head of the department, this work ‘reinforces Devesa Abogados’ commitment to specialised employment advice and to supporting business organisations through collective bargaining processes of particular significance’.
Pay rise
The new agreement will run for four years, until 31 December 2026, and will cover up to 100,000 workers in the province. The pre-agreement introduces significant improvements to the economic, organisational and social framework of the Valencian hospitality sector.
Among the main changes is a cumulative pay rise of 13% over the term of the agreement, comprising a 4% increase in 2026 and 3% in each of the following three years.
The parties have also agreed a review clause of up to one percentage point should the Consumer Price Index (CPI) exceed the agreed increase during the term of the agreement.
On contracts, agreement has been reached to update the rules governing permanent seasonal contracts (fijo-discontinuo), given their impact on holiday destinations, recurring event work and peak production periods, providing greater clarity and legal certainty for both employers and workers.
The pre-agreement also introduces new rules on temporary incapacity for work, with measures aimed at reducing unjustified absenteeism while guaranteeing protection for employees affected by serious illness, workplace accidents or occupational diseases.
‘Devesa Abogados has contributed its experience and specialist knowledge in employment law and collective bargaining, helping to defend the business interests represented by HOSBEC and taking an active part in the meetings held by both the negotiating committee and the various technical committees set up, in order to reach a pre-agreement that provides the sector with stability and legal certainty,’ said the head of the Employment Department on the firm’s role in these initiatives.
A new night-work allowance
Finally, a new night-work allowance has been agreed, providing a pay supplement for hours worked between 22:00 and 06:00. From 22:00 to 00:30 the supplement will be 10%, rising to 20% from 00:30 until the end of the period.
The final text of the agreement, agreed by the trade union representatives (UGT and CCOO) and the employers’ representatives (HOSBEC, the Hospitality Federation, the Gandía and La Safor Hotel Association and the Association of Spas and Thermal Resorts), is expected to be formalised at the end of October, ahead of its official publication.
