Spanish food and catering sector labor disputes

Labor disputes in the Spanish food and catering sectors have escalated from regional protests to a breakdown in national negotiations.

In mid-September, unions including CIG, CC.OO., and UGT organized protests in Ferrol and Narón. These demonstrations targeted companies Gadis and Froiz over a deadlock in food trade collective agreement negotiations. Workers demanded a 7% wage increase compared to the 4% offered by companies, alongside disputes regarding working hours and leave frequency.

By late September, the conflict expanded to the state-level collective bargaining agreement for the catering sector. Unions CCOO and UGT declared negotiations with the employer organization Food Service España broken, describing the situation after the employer labeled union proposals as ‘unacceptable.’ The unions are seeking a reduction in annual working hours, significant wage increases, and the correction of pay disparities. They specifically criticized the refusal to raise salary scales tied to the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI). This dispute affects staff in school cafeterias, hospitals, and nursing homes.

In early October, the conflict intensified in the province of Lugo. The CIG union called for a strike on October 10 in the food commerce sector, citing a lack of progress in provincial negotiations. The union criticized companies such as Gadis and Froiz for allegedly delaying the formation of negotiating committees and refusing to meet social demands. CIG is seeking a two-year agreement that includes a 14% salary increase for 2026 and 5% for 2027, noting that current pay disparities in Lugo are significant compared to other regions in Galicia.