UNIONS CLAIM STRIKE OF CROATIAN POST WORKERS HAS SUCCEEDED

ZAGREB, May 18 (Hina) - A day-long strike of Croatian Post (HP) workers, which started at 5 am on Friday, has been a complete success because more than 80 percent of all HP workers are on strike, union leaders said. The Croatian Post and Telecommunications (HPT) Union and the Croatian Post Union, which organised the strike, claim the HP management owes HP workers 180 million kuna. They also demand talks on a new collective agreement and better protection for HP employees and property. The HPT Union president Jadranko Vehar told reporters in front of the HP management building in downtown Zagreb all post delivery services in Zagreb were on strike. Under the law, the HP is obliged to secure the minimum functioning of post services in the country so that 1,230 post workers are under a compulsory work order, Vehar said. He accused the HP management of exerting pressure on the workers to give up the strike. The management has refused all union demands and arguments and the unions will therefore seek talks with the president of the HP supervisory board and the minister of maritime affairs, transport and communications. If social dialogue is not established, the HP may go on strike which could last several days, Vehar announced. The unionists apologised to pensioners that the strike has coincided with the day they receive their pension allowances through the post. (hina) rml