Prague – The last two workers’ unions Prague transport company (DPP) signed an amendment to the collective agreement, according to which money for employees’ wages will increase by 4.8 percent this year and by 7.4 percent next year. The agreement was approved by all 23 unions of the company.

Salaries will increase from July 1, drivers will receive the most. The average salary in DPP is 36,433 crowns, the company employs about 11,000 people.

The company has already agreed with most unions, the final confirmation of the amendment was hindered by the trade unions ZO OS DP Metro Praha oz strojvedoucí and OO Zdravé odbory.

“The agreement is a huge compromise between the two parties. I believe that the result is good news for our employees, who will not be forced to leave in uncertainty for higher offers, but on the contrary believe in the background of a stable company,” said Martin Gillar.

Drivers’ performance rewards will increase from ten to 20 percent per month. Drivers in DPP take an average of 37,719 crowns. According to director Gillar, the company is reacting to the situation on the labor market and is trying to prevent possible departures of drivers by increasing salaries. We will find money to increase salaries this year in terms of cost savings.

In addition to the salary increase, all employees will receive bonuses for the period of professional experience in the company. As a result of the amendment, DPP’s salary funds will increase by 90 million crowns this year and by another 290 million next year. The company spends seven billion a year on labor costs. The trade unions requested a change in the collective agreement last October.

DPP is the largest city company and its owner is the capital. Prague gives money for its operation. The city budget for this year approved the so-called compensation for the company of about 13.7 billion crowns.

Salaries for drivers are announced by transport companies in other cities in the Czech Republic. Hradec Králové wants to increase earnings by about 3,000 crowns this year. Now the reward is over 27,000 crowns. The Brno Transport Company offers those interested in working as a driver a recruitment allowance of 100,000 crowns.

The average salary of a driver in Brno, including surcharges and bonuses, was over 30,500 crowns last year. From January 1, the České Budějovice transport company increased wages for drivers by ten percent, in some cases by as much as 21.5 percent. Their average salary thus reached 28,500 crowns.

The average gross monthly wage in the Czech Republic increased by 8.6 percent to CZK 30,265 in the first quarter of this year.