The Easter weekend may not be the relaxing break holidaymakers are planning it to be while planning their break on the Canary Islands, as a huge coordinated protest is set to take place on the archipelago. Over 170,000 tourism workers will join forces with anti mass-tourism protesters and take to the streets.

In total, nearly 200,000 people are expected to demonstrate on April 17 and 18 - Holy Thursday and Good Friday. The protests will occur across the archipelago, including in Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. The announcement follows just after thousands of protesters flooded the streets in some 40 cities across Spain over the lack of affordable homes. 

Major unions, including UGT Canarias and the Canaries' Workers Commissions trade union (CCOO), are leading the scheduled mass walkout over Easter. They argue that the tourism sector's profits are not reaching staff.

Following a breakdown of talks, the CCOO union said, according to The Sun: "The last meeting held predicts the end of these negotiations, without an agreement and in the trenches.

"We do not understand the lack of respect for collective bargaining and the disloyalty to it. Since 1912 working people have increased their purchasing power by 250%.

"We have also managed in the last 100 years to abolish slavery, not entirely, there are many of us who are still slaves with paychecks.

"Do you really think that with 500 coins you can buy the dignity of the working people of the province?"

The unions have said they want to alert holidaymakers to the possible effects of the strike, but have asked them not to cancel their plans, nor do they want them to change their opinions of the Canaries as a good holiday destination. 

The strike is expected to have a major impact on hotel operations and on Brits holidaying in the archipelago during the Easter holiday. Many hotels are said to be notifying guests in advance to explain the situation and asking for their understanding. There are concerns that it may lead to a mass cancelling of plans. 

By law, the unions do have to provide a minimum service. 

"The strike could have a significant impact on the tourism-dependent region during one of the busiest periods of the year," warned Canarian Weekly. 

"However, union representatives maintain that their objective is not to disrupt the holiday season but to ensure that hospitality workers finally receive fair and just recognition for their contribution to the Canary Islands' economic success."

Head of the CCOO, Borja Suarez said: "This is about taking care of the health of our colleagues, improving work-life balance and improving everyone's lives."