CIVIL SERVANTS REJECT 5-PERCENT PAY RAISE

ZAGREB, Nov 29 (Hina) - Public servants' unions have rejected a Government's proposal for a five-percent pay rise in 1997, union leaders told a news conference in Zagreb on Friday. At a previous meeting with Government representatives, following a 1,000-strong protest rally on Wednesday, the unions had demanded four ten-percent successive pay raises over the next 18 months. "Negotiations don't seem to be going anywhere right now," said Zvonimir Sikic, leader of the Independent Union of Scientists. "We don't even know if this five-percent raise is the final offer - some Government members tell us it is and some say it isn't," he elaborated. Another round of Government-union talks has been scheduled for Monday. (hina) as 291918 MET nov 96