ZAGREB, Dec 18 (Hina) - Croatia's customs union on Wednesday announced a strike which will start on Thursday and last over the Christmas holidays because the government turned down their requests for an increase in pays and other
rights for customs officers.
ZAGREB, Dec 18 (Hina) - Croatia's customs union on Wednesday
announced a strike which will start on Thursday and last over the
Christmas holidays because the government turned down their
requests for an increase in pays and other rights for customs
officers. #L#
The strike on all major border crossings starts at 8 am on December
19 and will last until 8 pm on the 27th, union president Zeljko
Popovic told reporters today.
For the strike's duration customs officials will step up the
inspection of passenger and cargo traffic. Detailed inspections of
each passenger and vehicle might cause huge lines on border
crossings, particularly around Christmas, when many Croatians
working abroad come home to visit their families.
The customs union seeks a 25 percent pay increase or raising the
monthly base pay to 5,000 kuna (EUR675.7). The current average pay
among customs officers is 3,150 kuna (EUR425.7), said Popovic.
Customs officers also demand a correction of coefficients, an
accelerated retirement plan, and the signing of a branch collective
agreement.
The government has not invited the union to negotiations yet. The
union will not hold the strike only if a serious offer is made.
The customs administration employs close to 3,000 workers of whom
half are members of the customs union.
(hina) ha sb