The Estonian Transport Workers’ Union and Auto Enterprises Association have signed amendments to the general employment agreement for passenger transport.
Negotiations resulted in new minimum wage rates effective from Oct. 1 this year until the end of 2026. Additionally, significant changes were made to the conditions for breaks within the workday. The social partners are seeking to extend the collective agreement concerning wages and working and rest time conditions across the entire passenger transport sector.
Ular Kallas, chairman of the management board of the Transport Workers’ Union, said that it is crucial for public transport drivers to be well-rested and motivated, considering the responsibility they bear in transporting passengers.
The Transport Workers’ Union will launch a campaign to introduce the terms of the sectoral agreement and ensure compliance. Employees in the sector who are not provided with the agreed minimum wages have the right to claim the underpaid wages, Kallas added.
Andrei Mandla, president of the Auto Enterprises Association, emphasized that having a general employment agreement covering the entire sector is necessary for bus companies, as uniform wage and rest time standards help ensure a predictable competitive environment. The agreement also helps alleviate the acute problem of bus driver shortages faced by bus companies, Mandla added.
Source: BNS
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