The Barcelona City Council formally approved two significant measures during its January plenary session this Friday. Firstly, it ratified a reduction of the working week for municipal staff. Secondly, it passed a new fiscal package that increases the financial contribution required from the luxury tourism sector. This Barcelona 35-hour workweek is a landmark agreement.
Meanwhile, the session was also marked by tense political debate regarding the management of the Rodalies commuter train crisis. Consequently, this resulted in a formal reprimand of the current government’s handling of the situation.
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The Barcelona 35-Hour Workweek Explained
The headline agreement from the session is the ratification of a new collective agreement. This covers approximately 15,000 civil servants. The primary feature of this deal is the implementation of a Barcelona 35-hour workweek for City Council employees. The city previously addressed similar concerns when government administration of unclaimed assets.
The reduction in hours had been anticipated since December. This followed agreements with major unions including CC OO, UGT, and CSIF. However, the move has not been without internal friction. During the debate, discontent was visible among the Guardia Urbana (municipal police). Officers protested in Plaça de Sant Jaume, simultaneous to the plenary session. They rejected the specific conditions outlined for their force regarding work-life balance, shift patterns, and holiday entitlements.
Therefore, Deputy Mayor Albert Batlle has committed to reviewing the specific annexes related to the police force. This follows concerns raised by opposition parties regarding the rift between the administration and its security staff.
Luxury Tourism Tax Increase Details
The Council also passed fiscal ordinances set to come into force in February. The administration has maintained its strategy of freezing the tax burden on local residents. In addition, it is seeking greater revenue from tourist activity.
The most notable change is the hike in the municipal surcharge of the tourist tax. From April, the cost for guests in five-star hotels will rise to €12 per person, per night. This figure comprises €7 collected by the Generalitat and a €5 municipal surcharge.
This rate is set to climb progressively. Under an agreement between the PSC (Socialists), the Commons (BComú), and the ERC (Republican Left), the municipal portion will increase by one euro annually until 2029. Consequently, the total tax for a night in a luxury hotel will then reach €15.
Political Clash over Rodalies
Beyond administrative matters, the plenary held an extraordinary session. This was driven by the Junts party to address the ongoing crisis in the Rodalies rail network. The council passed a motion reprimanding the Catalan Government’s management. It also criticised Mayor Jaume Collboni for a perceived “lack of leadership” during the disruption.
Mayor Collboni apologised to users and defended the municipality’s response. This included reinforcing bus services and the Guardia Urbana presence. “We all have responsibilities, but so do those who have governed previously,” Collboni stated. He noted that he had already called for resignations within Adif and Renfe.
However, opposition spokespeople were unconvinced. Junts councillor Jordi Martí Galbis accused the Mayor of acting “with makeup” rather than substance. He claimed the Mayor prioritised his relationship with the Socialist-led central government over the needs of Barcelona’s commuters.
Transport Museum and Other Motions
The session also saw the unanimous approval of a citizen initiative. This aims to create a dedicated Transport Museum in Barcelona. While the concept has been greenlit, a location has yet to be finalised. Potential sites at Vall d’Hebron or the new Fira de Barcelona are under consideration.
In other developments:
- Housing: Proposals to eliminate tourist apartments by 2028 were upheld. Meanwhile, a motion from the ERC to increase the “emancipation income” limit for young people to €80,000 was approved.
- Nomenclature: The council agreed to study renaming the Glòries metro station to “Glòries Catalanes.” This reflects the official name of the square.
- International Relations: Mayor Collboni reiterated his stance. He urged that the Fira de Barcelona should not host Israeli companies or pavilions at upcoming events like the Mobile World Congress.
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