FTTU in negotiations for a new collective labor agreement at Sofia Airport

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 expressed to negotiate higher basic salaries by a minimum of 15% with an annex to the current CBA in the company.

To much surprise, the employer expressed a desire to proceed directly to negotiations for a new CBA, sending a written position indicating an intention for a drastic cut of several social benefits, including:

- Reduction of the basic and additional paid annual leave;

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

- Reduction in overtime pay;

- Reduction of severance pay upon termination of employment due to retirement;

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

- The employer proposes to drop the obligation to collect the membership fees of trade union organizations;

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

- Removal of the unions' participation in selection committees during restructuring and layoffs.

- Removal of the employer's obligation to provide resources for workers' socio-cultural services (vouchers, gifts, transportation services...);

- The employer proposes to drop the obligation to collect membership applications from those wishing to join the CBA, who are not members of trade union organizations.

Currently, "SOF Connect" refrains from commenting on the level of the increase they will propose but stated that it would be differentiated. Each employee will receive a different percentage. Meanwhile, some employees are invited to individual meetings to renegotiate their contracts separately.

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

FTTU draws attention to the fact that attempts at individual negotiation outside the collective lead to division among workers and aim to weaken the collective voice of employees. Such actions can create serious tension among the workers and pose a risk of social conflict.

FTTU remains ready for constructive negotiations regarding a minimum 15% increase in basic salaries and categorically opposes the proposals for a drastic reduction of social benefits in the CBA.