'PIK VRBOVEC' WORKERS CONTINUE TO BLOCK LOCAL ROADS

ZAGREB, April 8 (Hina)- Workers of the meat packing and canning factory "PIK Vrbovec" on Saturday afternoon refused conditions which the new management offered to the employee council about the payment of back salaries. Employees decided to continue to block regional roads (some 40 kilometres east of Zagreb). Their protest started on Thursday. Protesters insist on the payment of at least two minimum salaries (each comes to 1190 kuna or some 150 US dollars) for January and February and on the covering of costs for commuting. On Saturday negotiations between the management and protesters lasted from 09.00 am to 01.30 pm. Employers offered to pay the wage for January on Monday and the other for February on Friday, said a leader of unionists in the factory, Stjepan Lebos. He explained that workers could, perhaps, have awaited the second back salary until Tuesday but it is impossible for them to accept the time limit on Friday after being deceived several times. He added that besides blocking local roads, protesters would impede traffic on the railway line from Zagreb to Budapest if their demands are not met by noon Monday. The unionist said the workers' action was exploited for the replacement of the former management of PIK Vrbovec, although protesters did not ask for their dismissal. (hina) ms