site.btaSofia City Hall Sets in Place Bonus System for Public Transport Workers, Staving Off Strike

The Sofia City Hall is setting in place a bonus system for public transport workers from November 1. "There will be no strikes and problems with public transport," Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev said at a briefing at Sofia Municipality.

The bonus system was included in an agreement signed on Wednesday by Terziev, an addition to agreements from the end of February this year to increase the remuneration of those working in public transport, said the the Federation of Transport Trade Unions with the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria. 

Terziev commented that this an example of Sofia Municipality fulfilling its  commitments conscientiously. "From the beginning of our mandate, it has been our goal to be a predictable partner and to keep promises," he pointed out, adding that a problem accumulated over the years was solved with collective efforts.
Terziev thanked the unions for the fruitful work and stated that there will be no strikes and everyone can plan on using public transport in the weeks ahead. "It is always a good time to buy a year-round card for public transport," he noted. 

The Sofia Mayor said that in order for the urban transport system to work efficiently, it is extremely important that the State fulfill its commitments to Sofia Municipality. "We are waiting for the tens of millions of BGN compensations that have accumulated for the city transport cards that we are obliged to issue, and the state is obliged to pay us," stressed Terziev. He expressed hope that in early November, Sofia Municipality will receive, if not full, then at least a significant partial payment, so that the financial pressure can be eased.

Last week, workers in Sofia's public transport and trade unions gathered in protest because of the non-implementation of the signed agreement with Sofia Municipality for the introduction of a bonus system in the sector.