13,000 CIVIL SERVANTS, 4,700 PROFESSORS, SCIENTISTS CHOOSE STRIKE

ZAGREB, Nov 30 (Hina) - About 13,000 civil servants and 4,700 professors and scientists at yesterday's referendum voted in favour of protest activities, strikes included, the Union of Civil Servants of Croatia and the Independent Union of Science and Higher Education of Croatia said on Thursday. Both unions will join other public and state service unions in a day-long warning strike on Dec. 8. Seven public and state service unions held a referendum after the government turned down their demand for a 8.5 percent basic salary increase and the payment of a 1,000 kuna Christmas and 400 kuna child's bonus. According to data of the Union of Civil Servants of Croatia, 13,000 of about 23,000 employed in state administration said yes to protests, as did more than half of about 700 government and parliament employees. Moreover, 4,700 of about 11,000 people employed in higher education and science also opted for the protests. The unions have said the results of the referendum reflect the discontent with the government's jeopardising of the principles of social justice and legal security, as well as the loss of trust in the government. (hina) ha