MASS EDUCATION STRIKE BEGINS IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, Sep 5, (Hina)- A mass strike affecting education at kindergarten, primary and secondary school levels began this morning in Croatia. The strike has been organised by the Nursery School Teachers Trade Union, the teachers Trade Union, and the Independent Trade Union of High School Teachers. The Unions say they are protesting against the Government's unfulfilled obligations in an agreement on wage conditions and have vowed to continue with the strike until the Government "corrects the wage situation". The exact number of educational instituations affected by the strike will not be known until the end of the day, but the Unions estimate that some 1117 kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools in Croatia will be affected. Meanwhile on yesterday's evening news segement on Croatian Television, the Minister for Education, Vesna Girardi Jurkic, said classes were to commence on September 5 and urged teachers to return to the classroom. (hina) jn sd 051125 MET sep 94