Today, the Federation of Transport Trade Unions signed a new Collective Labor Agreement with Aviapartner Bulgaria EOOD – the company that took over part of the ground handling operations of Vasil Levski Airport from SOF Connect.

The signing was attended by the President of the FTTU, Eng. Aleksandar Shopov, the President of the trade union organization in the company, Iliyan Stoyanov, as well as representatives of the employer – Director Vasil Dimitrov, HR Manager Daniele Antova and Managing Director Erik de Goeij.

Following the transfer of operations, our members once again chose FTS – CITUB as their trade union representative, casting their vote of confidence in the organization which consistently defends their labor, social and trade union rights.

Following intensive and constructive negotiations, we succeeded in negotiating the first Collective Labor Agreement, which builds upon the statutory rights of the workers and establishes a solid foundation for the development of social dialogue within the company.

Most importantly – from the very first months of its operations, Aviapartner Bulgaria is increasing the basic wages of its employees by 5%, effective July 1, 2026, with the parties agreeing that in case of good financial results, new negotiations for a further increase will begin after six months. In case of inflation exceeding 5%, the trade unions also have the right to request new wage negotiations.

This is a clear sign that, unlike other new companies that start their operations without any real improvement in working conditions, Aviapartner Bulgaria is taking concrete steps to increase workers' incomes in its very first months.

Among the negotiated key benefits are:

• The minimum basic wage in the company is increased by a coefficient of 1.3 of the national minimum wage;

• additional paid annual leave – up to 24 working days depending on length of service, as well as an additional 6 days for positions with irregular working hours;

• Length of service allowance amounting to 1.1% for each year of service;

• Food vouchers of EUR 102.25 per month;

• Additional remuneration for night work – EUR 1 for each hour of night work;

• Compensations and social payments have been agreed upon that are more favorable than those stipulated in the Labor Code and superior to some of the benefits in other similar companies in the sector – in case of retirement, redundancy, prolonged illness, child birth, death of an employee and other social events.

• Additional guarantees in case of restructuring and redundancies, protection of trade union members and the establishment of a Social Partnership Council as a permanent mechanism for dialogue between trade unions and the employer.

FTS – CITUB thanks the trade union organization in the company, the President Iliyan Stoyanov and all our members for their trust, unity and active support during the negotiations.

For us, this agreement is yet another proof that when workers are organized and united, they can achieve real results – higher incomes, better social benefits and safer working conditions.