Today, a meeting was held between the concessionaire of Sofia Airport and the trade union organizations.

On behalf of FTTU-CITUB at "SOF Connect", a desire was declared to negotiate at least 15% higher basic wages with an annex to the current CLA in the company.

To great surprise, the employer expressed a desire to proceed directly to negotiations for a new CLA, sending a written position in which it indicated an intention to drastically cut a number of social benefits, including:

- Reduction of basic and additional paid annual leave;

- Renegotiation or removal of the coefficient supplementing the minimum monthly basic salary;

- Reduction of pay for overtime work;

- Reduction of compensation upon termination of employment relations due to retirement;

- Reduction of compensation upon termination of employment relations at the employer's initiative;

- The employer proposes to eliminate its obligation to collect membership fees for trade union organizations;

- Drastic reduction of paid official leave hours for trade union activists;

- Elimination of trade union participation in selection committees during restructuring and layoffs.

- Elimination of the employer's obligation to provide funds for social-lifestyle and cultural services for workers (vouchers, gifts, transport services...);

- The employer proposes to eliminate its obligation to collect membership applications for those wishing to join the CLA who are not members of trade union organizations.

At the moment, "SOF Connect" refrains from commenting on the level of increase they will offer, but stated that it will be differentiated. Each employee will receive a different percentage. At the same time, some employees have been invited to individual meetings to renegotiate their contracts individually.

This action, although within the employer's powers, is a bypass of the trade unions and undermines the principles of collective bargaining laid down in the Labor Code. Such practice is directly aimed at weakening trade union activity and violates established social standards.

FTTU warns that attempts at individual bargaining outside the collective agreement lead to division among workers and aim to weaken the common voice of employees. Such actions may generate serious tension among the workers and create a risk of social conflict.

FTTU remains ready for constructive negotiations regarding an increase in basic salaries by at least 15% and categorically objects to the proposals for a drastic reduction of social benefits in the CLA.