TUESDAY RAIL STRIKE MOST LIKELY

( Editorial: --> 3401 ) ZAGREB, March 30 (Hina) - If Monday's negotiations with the management of Croatian Railways (HZ) do not move forward, five railway workers' unions will strike tomorrow, 31 March, from 10am to midday, the union representatives told a press conference today. Only international passenger trains and trains necessary for the Croatian Army will operate during the strike. The unions are standing by their request for a 20 percent pay rise for operational jobs and they are not accepting the management's offer of a 4.6 percent pay rise across the board. There are 8,100 operational jobs at Croatian Railways which include engine- drivers, traffic controllers, switchmen etc - about a third of its employees. The union representatives said they do not expect much from today's negotiations hence tomorrow there will almost surely be a two-hour strike. If their requests are not met, the unions said they are prepared to undertake further action including calling a general strike. (hina) mrb/as 301454 MET mar 98