POST & TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTORS SIGN COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT

( Editorial: --> 2512 ) ZAGREB, Sept 23 (Hina) - Representatives of the Croatian Post and Telecommunications (HPT) management and trade unions on Wednesday signed a collective agreement for employees of the post and telecommunications sectors under which the lowest HPT salary was increased by seven per cent. The agreement is valid until the end of the year 2000 and guarantees there will be no mass dismissals following HPT's January 1, 1999 division into two separate companies, Post and Telecommunications. Since the agreement was signed, the trade unions cancelled a day- long strike announced for October 13. The HPT salary rise was made possible by a re-allocation of incentive funds, since in line with a government decision salary funds in public companies remain the same. HPT employees have also been guaranteed Easter and Christmas bonuses. (hina) ha jn/sp 231654 MET sep 98