CROATIAN RAILWAYS ADMINISTRATION ISSUES STATEMENT

ZAGREB, 29 Nov (Hina) - The Croatian Railways (HZ) Administration tonight issued a statement warning that the situation on Croatian railways is becoming more difficult by hour, due to the strike of railway workers which started on 28 November. The Croatian Railways network may become completely paralyzed tomorrow, the statement said. Some 400 freight wagons are waiting on tracks to be started toward their destinations. The HZ Administration calls on all strikers to 'realize with full seriousness and responsibility the delicacy of the situation so that measures for the protection of Croatia's vital interests, envisaged by the law, could be avoided'. The main strikers' committee is still violating a decision by Croatia's Transport Minister on obligatory railway traffic during the strike, despite warnings that their behavior is against the law, the statement said. The HZ Administration is forced to insist on the implementation of the Minister's decision. One of consequences in case of disregard for that decision could be the cancellation of work contract, the statement said. The HZ Administration appealed to all striking workers not to obstruct other employees in their work. The HZ Administration on Friday issued another statement saying that the Croatian Railway Workers' Union has begun the strike against the will of other eight railway workers' unions. The Croatian Railway Workers' Union is abusing the situation specific to the railway technological process, in which 200 workers at key working positions can block the work of other 22,000 workers. In a situation when all other unions are against the strike, Croatian Railway Workers' Union President Zlatko Pavletic can justify the strike only by his wish to make the Union more homogenous and cause conflicts, the statement said. The Croatian Railway Workers' Union currently has 7,252 members, out of the total of 22, 991 workers in the Croatian Railways, with a tendency towards decrease, the statement said. (hina) rm jn 291919 MET nov 96