HZ MANAGEMENT-UNION NEGOTIATIONS FAIL, PROTEST STARTS TOMORROW

ZAGREB, July 4 (Hina) - Today's negotiations between the management and three unions of workers of the Croatian Railways (HZ) backfired and therefore the unions will commence their protest on Wednesday by lessening the speed of trains by 30 kilometres per hour. "We protest because our fundamental right to the work and adequate salaries are jeopardised, problems of HZ employees are not solved and because there are systematic preparations for closing the HZ company," said Darko Pavicevic, a leader of the union of employees with HZ infrastructure, after Tuesday's unsuccessful negotiations. Pavicevic apologised to passengers for slow journeys but asserted that unions should not be blamed for such a situation. "We state that the rationalisation in the HZ has not been conducted properly and money is still squandering," said Nenad Mrgan, a leader of the engine drivers' union. A one-day industrial action will start tomorrow at 06.00 am and it is the first form of pressure to be exerted on the HZ Management and the Transport Ministry. Unionists announced that they would intensify their protests in the coming weeks. The three unions are ready to organise, in one week, a one-day stoppage of railway traffic in the entire country. A Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Slavko Linic has recently announced that within 30 days they will relieve the HZ managing board members from their duty and begin staff changes in the management, and unions are expecting from the Government to do so, Mrgan said. (hina) jn ms