ONLY HIGH SCHOOL EMPLOYEES TO GO ON STRIKE DECEMBER 14

ZAGREB, Dec 12 (Hina) - A negotiating committee of five Croatian school unions on Saturday announced a day-long strike would be held on December 14, but only in high schools. The elementary school unions in the committee decided not to go on strike due to the non-participation of the Croatian Teachers' Union (SHU), the largest elementary school union, in the negotiating committee. Union leaders on Saturday told reporters the elementary school unions' position had been weakened as a result of SHU president Dalimir Kuba's negotiations with the employer on higher 1999 salaries. The leaders said next year's salaries would not rise by a kuna, and were assured an increase in education salaries would have been achieved had the SHU been part of the negotiating committee. The Independent Union of High School Employees of Croatia will participate in the Monday strike. Representatives stated today they did not exclude the possibility that some elementary schools wishing to do so might join. Union president Vesna Kanizaj reiterated the unions want negotiations to commence with regard to the salary policy in 1999, the realisation of parliamentary conclusions on selective salary raises, and the earmarking of 210 million kuna (US$34 million) for a 12 percent increase in next year's education salaries. Prior to the press conference, the unions' negotiating committee met with representatives of the Education Ministry, who offered a six-month stay on salary increases, a five percent increase starting next August, and a 12 percent increase starting next November. According to Vinko Filipovic, president of "Preporod", one of the unions, the negotiating committee rejected the offer stating it would not improve the financial position of education employees. (hina) ha