CROATIAN PUBLIC SERVICE UNIONS TURN DOWN GOVERNMENT WAGE OFFER

ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - Croatian public service unions on Wednesday rejected a government proposal, put forward during negotiations two days ago, for a five percent increase in salaries as of the New Year and a further increase of six to seven percent after six months. Unions stuck to their initial demand for a gradual increase of 58 percent over a period of a year and a half. "The government's proposal is absolutely unacceptable because a proposed increase would not even cover increased living costs and it certainly would not raise the salaries to business sector levels," Kresimir Rozman of the Scientific Workers' Union told a press conference in Zagreb. Therefore, unions stood by their proposal that salaries should be increased by 15 percent as of the New Year and by a further 10 percent after six months. They should be increased again by 15 percent after January 1, 1998 and by a further 10 percent after six months of that year, which would result in a 58 percent increase, he explained. The next round of negotiations was scheduled for December 5 when the government was expected to make its final offer, which would then be subjected to a referendum among union members. (hina) vm mm 042055 MET dec 96