site.btaUPDATED Transport Union Stages Protest Action in Sofia, Mayor Offers to Meet Pay Rise Demands Halfway

The Federation of Transport Unions (FTU) with the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) launched protest action in Sofia on Thursday morning. The protesters demand a 30% pay rise and better working conditions in public transport.

The Union says its demand for a targeted allocation in the State budget of BGN 37 million for a pay rise in the sector was rejected. The FTU cites low wages as one of the causes of a shortage of drivers and mechanics.

The protesters lit a fire and one of them lay down on a makeshift bed on the ground. Shopov said this is how drivers take a rest - in a hurry and in the cold, while sitting in the bus cabin. They cannot go to buy something or to the toilet because they are fined for even a five-minute delay, CITUB Vice President Todor Kapitanov said.

After meeting with representatives of CITUB and the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour, Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev said he had proposed a 15% base wage increase as of March 1. City Hall will also try to raise wages again later this year alongside a bonus system for workers in all companies. Terziev said the aim is to find a long-term solution so as to attract younger drivers.

Todor Kapitanov and Ivan Kirilov, head of Podkrepa's Federation of Transport Workers, called the meeting with Terziev productive but said they would not give up their demand for a 30% pay rise in Sofia. The unions said the protests would stop for now but did not rule out more protests.