PortAventura workers call off May Day strike after reaching deal with management

PortAventura employees have decided to call off the strike that was scheduled for May 1 and 2, following the ratification of a preliminary agreement between union representatives and company management on Tuesday night. 

Paco López, spokesperson for the UGT union (general union of workers in Spain) at PortAventura, told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that the workers' assembly wrapped up at around 9 pm, with unanimous support for the proposed deal.  

The agreement includes improvements to wages aimed at restoring purchasing power, formal recognition of employee seniority, and better regulation of workloads. The key measures from the deal will take effect immediately, although negotiations for a full collective agreement, affecting around 4,500 workers, will continue. 

In a joint statement, the UGT and CCOO unions, along with PortAventura World, emphasized that the agreement ensures the resort will be able to operate "without disruption" during the holiday weekend and proceed with plans to celebrate its 30th anniversary. 

The agreement was reached earlier on Tuesday at the Department of Business and Labour, where both sides have held several meetings in recent days.

Fernando Aldecoa, general manager of PortAventura World, welcomed the outcome, saying the new measures will "greatly enhance the working conditions" of the resort's staff. According to the joint statement, the changes to salary and working time conditions are "significant." 

Aldecoa also highlighted that the agreement guarantees normal operations during the May holiday, which he described as "very positive" news for both workers and visitors, particularly as it coincides with a milestone anniversary for the popular resort. 

May 1 is a public holiday in Catalonia and across Spain, and many people are expected to take Friday, May 2 off as well to create a long weekend.