PIK VRBOVEC WORKERS CONTINUE TO PROTEST

VRBOVEC, Dec 14 (Hina) - Workers of the meat processing industry of PIK Vrbovec, who staged a protest at 6am Tuesday, seeking the payment of September and October salaries and the withdrawal of a decision on the dismissal of five union commissioners, continued to protest on Wednesday. After yesterday's protest, which gathered about 1,500 workers, chairman of the PIK Vrbovec management board Zlatko Dominikovic was relieved from his duties. The new appointed chairman is Zlatko Stepancik. This morning, Stepancik invited the workers to discontinue the protest, and promised he would try to get the funds for the payment of their salaries from the Government. The workers, however refused to discontinue the protest without firm guarantees. The Agriculture trade union drafted an agreement which was later offered to Stepacek for signing. According to the agreement, the workers demand that salaries for September be paid until Thursday the latest, and salaries for October be paid until December 22 the latest. The agreement also demands urgent withdrawal of a decision on the dismissal of five union commissioners. The negotiations started shortly after noon. (hina) it