SCHOOL UNION DEMANDS PAYMENT OF INCREASED BASIC SALARY FOR JULY

ZAGREB, Aug 3 (Hina) - An independent union of secondary school employees on Tuesday sent an appeal to the state ombudsman, parliamentary representatives, and the Croatian Helsinki Committee (HHO), seeking protection and mediation in the latest social dispute between the union and the Government regarding the payment of July salaries. "Pressure and discrimination against secondary school teachers has culminated with the latest government decision of July 22 regarding the non-payment of a five per cent increase in the basic salary for July", the union leader Vesna Kanizaj told a news conference on Tuesday. The decision gravely violates the Labour Law, which envisages that all employees will be guaranteed established salaries, regardless of whether they are union members of not, Kanizaj said. Union members said they still believed teachers would not be left without part of their salaries, because there 'is neither legal nor moral reason for that'. Union members also pointed to the low salaries of secondary school teachers, adding the average salary of a teacher-beginner with up to five years of service amounted to 2,770 kuna (DM710) in April, while the state average in the same period was 3,045 kuna (DM780). Kanizaj announced for tomorrow talks with representatives of other school unions regarding the latest problems with the payment of salaries. (hina) rml