TEACHERS ARE TOO LATE WITH THEIR REQUEST - VOKIC

( Editorial: --> 6428 ) ZAGREB, 22 Jan (Hina) - Croatian Education Minister Ljilja Vokic on Thursday held a press conference at which she spoke about requests from the Trade Union of Primary School Teachers, who asked for an increase in salaries in primary education. Trade unions have the right to protest, but they should have thought about it before the budget was adopted, instead of asking for money from the state reserves, Vokic said. There will be no general teachers' strike, Vokic said, adding the Education Ministry would respect and abide by the collective work agreement. Vokic dismissed claims by the Croatian Teachers Trade Union that she was the main opponent to the increase of salaries. This is actually the trade union's response to my statement on the misuse of trade union membership fees, she said. According to an agreement signed between teachers' trade unions and the Government, compared to January 1997, teachers' salaries at the end of 1998 will be 52% higher. (hina) jn rm 221653 MET jan 98