RAILWAYMEN CONTINUE STRIKE UNTIL FINAL RULING

ZAGREB, Dec 9 (Hina) - The Railway Workers' Union will appeal against a Supreme Court decision declaring a strike initiated on Nov 28 unlawful, the Union said on Monday. "We still think our strike is lawful and we are going to file a second-degree appeal," union leader Zlatko Pavletic told a news conference. The Union will continue to strike until the ruling becomes final, which menas that all passenger train services and 20% of freight trains will be maintained, he said. The Supreme Court outlawed the strike on the grounds of noncompliance with a Transport Minister's decision on the minimum rail transport to be maintained during the strike. The Union suspended all rail services on Dec 3. "The Union's appeal contends that the traffic was suspended because several trains that are mentioned in the minister's decision were put into circulation, endangering passenger safety," the Union's legal advisor Darko Marzic said. A five-member panel of Supreme Court judges is required to decide on the appeal within five days. "If our appeal is rejected, the union will respect the Court's ruling, but we may organise another strike," union leaders announced. (hina) jn as 091954 MET dec 96