FTTU participates in meetings with political parties ahead of the elections!

On the eve of the upcoming elections, the Federation of Transport and Trade Unions took part in a series of meetings organized by CITUB with representatives of leading political forces, with the aim of raising the key problems in the transport sector and seeking specific commitments for their resolution.

Within the framework of the talks, FTTU Chair Eng. Aleksandar Shopov consistently raised the federation’s main priorities – the need for sustainable investments in transport infrastructure, modernization of rolling stock, development of intermodal connections, as well as urgent measures to address the shortage of qualified personnel and increase incomes in the sector.

Meeting with GERB–SDS

At a meeting with representatives of GERB–SDS, the priorities in their election program related to transport and economic development were discussed. On behalf of FTTU, emphasis was placed on the need for clear commitments for investment and a specific share of GDP for the sector.
Special attention was paid to the topic of concessions and privatization, with FTTU insisting on guarantees that strategic transport assets would remain public. Despite the issues raised, specific answers on some of the topics were not provided.

Meeting with PP–DB

At a meeting with representatives of “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria,” issues related to incomes, social policy, and investment in human capital were examined.
FTTU emphasized that reforms should not be implemented at the expense of workers, and that wage increases should be viewed as an investment. The risks of long-term concession contracts were also discussed, including in urban transport and port infrastructure, as well as the need to protect the state interest and jobs.

Meeting with “Progressive Bulgaria”

During the meeting with representatives of “Progressive Bulgaria,” the importance of social dialogue and the role of the state in managing strategic infrastructure were emphasized.
FTTU once again raised the issue of staff shortages and the need for a long-term vision for the sector’s development. The federation expressed a firm position against the concessioning of key port terminals and insisted on keeping them under state control. Emphasis was also placed on the development of ports as important logistics centers and Bulgaria’s role in regional transport links.

Position of FTTU

The meetings held confirmed that the transport sector is present on the political agenda, but to a significant extent sufficiently specific, financially secured, and long-term sustainable solutions are lacking.

FTTU expresses serious concern about the absence of clear commitments on key issues – the level of public investment in transport, income policies and staffing of the sector, as well as the future of strategic infrastructure. It is unacceptable for decisions with long-term effects, including concessions and commitments for decades ahead, to be made without sufficient transparency, public oversight, and guarantees for protecting the state interest and workers.

The federation expects from the future government not declarations, but a clear vision, concrete deadlines, and undertaken commitments supported by real funding. Without targeted investments in people and infrastructure, the risk of deepening the staffing crisis and worsening the quality of transport services remains high.

FTTU will continue to actively defend the interests of workers in the sector and insist on sustainable policies that guarantee the development of transport as a key factor for the economy and society.