SISAK IRONWORKS UNIONISTS NOT SATISFIED WITH ANY OF FOUR BIDS

SISAK, Jan 17 (Hina) - The co-ordinating body of trade unions of employees with the Sisak Ironworks on Friday described the four offers submitted by potential buyers of the Sisak plant as unacceptable. The unionists said that the bidders did not give any assurances that the employment contracts of the plant's current employees would be prolonged and that investments would be made into the modernisation of the ironworks. #L# The four offers, officially opened in Zagreb on Wednesday, were submitted by Slovakia's Zeleziarne Podbrezova, Italy's Zinchitalia, Dufercoe from Switzerland and Olmax from Austria. The co-ordinating body supported Economy Minister Ljubo Jurcic and the ironworks' trustee in bankruptcy, Ilija Maric, who said that a new round of talks would be held with the bidders before a final decision was adopted, union leaders Mato Somic and Ivica Kenda told a news conference. A new round of talks with the possible buyers will be conducted next week, after which a final decision is expected. The workers insist that the company which is eventually selected as the best bidder should give assurances that it would retain as many workers as possible (the company employs 1,700 workers) and that it promise to invest in the plant, particularly in the steel mill which is of crucial importance for the entire company, Kenda said. (hina) ms