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ETF gender conference denounces assault on Bulgarian cabin crew union President
7 November 2007
The European arm of the ITF, the ETF, has condemned an attack against the President of a Bulgarian cabin crew union and demanded action to bring her assailant to justice.
Participants in the ETF conference on gender equality, which took place in Brussels, Belgium, from 16-18 October, were horrified to learn of the brutal knife attack perpetrated against Valentina Tzvetkova, President of the Bulgarian ETF-affiliate, FTW Podkrepa, which represents Bulgaria Air employees.
Tzvetkova, returning to Sofia from her flying duties on 1 August, was assaulted in front of her home by a man with a knife. She courageously fought her assailant but received seven knife wounds to her hands, legs and body and was hospitalised for several days. She is still not fit enough to return to her job. There has been no investigation into the stabbing and the police have made no arrests.
The ETF conference delegates passed a resolution condemning the assault, expressing solidarity with Tzvetkova and calling for the assailant to be apprehended and put on trial. They also reiterated their commitment to fight against workplace violence and called on the ETF executive committee to endorse the resolution.
At the end of 2005, FTW Podkrepa, along with other civil aviation unions in Bulgaria, lodged a complaint with the Bulgarian public prosecution office against the former Executive Director of Bulgaria Air, Konstantin Taskov, alleging misappropriation of funds. It is believed that the attack against Tzvetkova could be linked to her role in this complaint; she was the only remaining witness in the trial against Taskov.
Ingo Marowsky, ITF Civil Aviation Section Secretary, commented: "Both the ITF and the ETF take this case very seriously and are currently in touch with the union to see what necessary next steps need to be taken."
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