TEACHERS UNION ANNOUNCES DAY-LONG STRIKES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

( Editorial: --> 6386 ) ZAGREB, May 25 (Hina) - The Croatian Teachers Union announced a series of day-long strikes in primary schools following last Wednesday's warning strike. Last week two school unions organised a strike demanding an increase in salaries for employees in primary and high schools. "If there is no response to these strikes, the Union has left room for a strike lasting several days, which will bring the regular conclusion of the school year into question," Union president Dalimir Kuba told reporters in Zagreb Monday. He said a decision on the announced strikes was reached at a Union session on May 23, after the government failed to respond to the Union's demand for higher salaries. The Union refuted Education Minister Bozidar Pugelnik's statement about a 27 per cent increase in education salaries. Unionists say the said increase refers to the basic rate. At the end of this year, salaries will have reached an 11 per cent increase in relation to the end of 1997. (hina) ha mrb 251338 MET may 98