HZ MANAGEMENT SUES UNIONS, UNIONS BREAK OFF NEGOTIATIONS

ZAGREB, July 7 (Hina) - Three unions of employees with the Croatian Railway (HZ), that carried out a one-day protest action a two days before when they caused the decrease in the speed of trains by 30 kilometres per hour, discontinued negotiations with the HZ Management, owing to the fact that the company's leadership has sued them. The management has taken the action against the Union of Railway Workers, the Engine Drivers' Union and the Infrastructure Workers' Union for the making trains slower by 30 kilometres per hour on July 5. The unions viewed such an act of the management as its attempt to deny the unions' right to further industrial actions and to prevent the public from being informed about the real state of affairs in the company. Unionists believe that the management did not commence the negotiation (before the July 5 protest) in good faith, and on Friday they announced strike, asserting that they will not give up such a plan unless their demands are met. The unions insisted on the removal of difficulties in supplying the HZ with oil and that engine drivers be paid for hours they did not drive due to the cancellation of some train services, as they maintain that the drivers are not to be blamed for such a change. They also asked for the establishment of the responsibility of the former and incumbent HZ management for bad business results. (hina) jn ms