Mayor of Sofia proposed 15% pay rise for public transport, protesting workers demand more

Sofia Mayor, Vassil Terziev, proposed 15% increase in the salaries of public transport workers, but the protesters insist on at least 30%. Representatives of Sofia's public transport trade unions met with Sofia Mayor, Vassil Terziev, after protesting for half an hour in the morning on January 18 in the capital's Druzhba 2 district.

"We had a productive meeting with the representatives of CITUB and "Podkrepa" trade unions, we briefed them on our proposals. First, we are proposing a 15% increase in the basic salary starting from 1 March. We will also be looking for the possibility of a further pay rise during the year, which would be linked to the development of a bonus system that would apply to all employees in the separate companies. Our aim is to find a lasting solution so that we can encourage young drivers to join the transport companies. We will work towards monitoring and reduction of overtime. I think there is progress," the Mayor said.

Vassil Terziev stressed that he will work to improve the working conditions of transport workers.

"At the moment we have reached a consensus on working conditions and reducing overtime. We did not reach agreement on the demand for wage increase. Our demands are for a pay rise higher than 15%. We will discuss with the trade union structures whether this proposal suits them. We will continue to insist that the state, in the person of the government, take a decision on additional subsidies to Sofia Municipality for an increase in wages in public transport, including an increase in subsidies in other cities, where tensions are rising," said Todor Kapitanov, Vice President of CITUB.

Protest by public trasport workers in Sofia causes rush hour traffic disruptions

"The protests are over for today, we are preparing for others next week. We are prepared to organize a halt in public transport services for a quarter of Sofia within 2 hours," Kapitanov said.

Public transport workers are demanding a 30% pay rise. The trade union reminds that the promised 37 million BGN for pay rise in the sector have not been provided.

"We did not reach an agreement, but we agree to a two-step increase - twice by 15% due to the circumstances in which the municipality and the state find themselves. We are ready to go back to the negotiating table, but if the dialogue does not reach an agreement, we are ready to go back to the street and blockade the whole of Sofia," said Ivan Kirilov, chairman of the federation of transport workers at "Podkrepa" trade union.