ZAGREB, March 25 (Hina) - The president of the Republic Union of Croatian Posts and Telecommunications Employees, Jadranko Vehar, on Monday began a hunger strike, accompanied by three other union representatives, requesting the
annulment of the collective agreement and a continuation of negotiations on a new collective agreement.
ZAGREB, March 25 (Hina) - The president of the Republic Union of
Croatian Posts and Telecommunications Employees, Jadranko Vehar,
on Monday began a hunger strike, accompanied by three other union
representatives, requesting the annulment of the collective
agreement and a continuation of negotiations on a new collective
agreement. #L#
Vehar announced at today's news conference held in front of the
Croatian Telecom (HT) headquarters that he had scheduled a strike
of five HT unions for April 17. The five unions refused to sign the
collective agreement.
He accused the company's management for pressuring the
"insubordinate" unions, claiming they would be pushed out of union
offices and their telecommunication services terminated if they do
not sign the collective agreement which was signed by the HT's
majority union a month and a half ago.
The agreement reduces HT employee's material rights by more than 20
percent, and makes it possible for the majority shareholder, the
Deutsche Telecom, to dismiss more than 4,000 workers by 2004,
claims Vehar.
The HT has issued a statement Monday, refuting Vehar's claims,
pointing out that the collective agreement increased the average
monthly salary from 5,046 kuna to 5,200 kuna.
The HT also refuted claims about the dismissals, recalling the
management's plan to create an additional 300 jobs, and accused
Vehar of attempting to intimidate employees for his personal
propaganda.
It is truly ridiculous that union representatives are on hunger
strike in a company where the average monthly salary is 5,200 kuna,
subsidies 3,000 kuna, Easter bonus 400 kuna, Christmas bonus 1,000
kuna, and 400 kuna for children's gifts, the HT said in a
statement.
(hina) lml