ZAGREB, Dec 11 (Hina) - The government today for the first time vowed next year's basic salaries for public and civil servants would not be cut but stay at the present level of 1,425 kuna ($166), a representative of the Council of
Croatian Public Service Workers' Unions said on Monday. The government's vow is the most important feat of a warning strike unions of public and civil servants staged last Friday, Council vice president Vilim Ribic told reporters after negotiations with representatives of the government. The unions have announced a new strike, for Dec. 14, this time until their demands are met. Instead of the previous demand for an 8.5 percent increase on basic salaries, the unions today proposed that instead of paying an 8.5 percent difference for October, November, and December, the government should increase basic salaries by five percent over five months, thus returning them to 1,50
ZAGREB, Dec 11 (Hina) - The government today for the first time
vowed next year's basic salaries for public and civil servants
would not be cut but stay at the present level of 1,425 kuna ($166),
a representative of the Council of Croatian Public Service Workers'
Unions said on Monday.
The government's vow is the most important feat of a warning strike
unions of public and civil servants staged last Friday, Council
vice president Vilim Ribic told reporters after negotiations with
representatives of the government.
The unions have announced a new strike, for Dec. 14, this time until
their demands are met.
Instead of the previous demand for an 8.5 percent increase on basic
salaries, the unions today proposed that instead of paying an 8.5
percent difference for October, November, and December, the
government should increase basic salaries by five percent over five
months, thus returning them to 1,500 kuna, the sum before unions
consented to a temporary reduction last March.
The 1,500 kuna basic salary would remain in force through February,
when new negotiations should start as part of a long-term salary
policy, said Ribic.
He added the unions had not given up on their demand for the payment
of a 1,000 kuna Christmas and 400 kuna child bonus.
Deputy Prime Minister Zeljka Antunovic said the government would
take a position on this latest offer very soon, but stressed the
government was adamant about refusing the bonus payments as there
was no money.
Ribic announced a "circular strike" unless an agreement was
reached. Colleges and schools would go on strike on Thursday,
hospitals and social welfare on Friday, and state administration on
Monday.
(hina) ha