4
strength of the three grades. Furthermore, recruitment for the posts of Supervisor of Typing Services are now open to public as well as female officers of the other grades in the Civil Service. In other words, promotion from Shorthand-Audio Typist to Supervisor of Typing Services grade is extremely slim.
14.
It is important to note that out of the 417 Shorthand-Audio Typists in the Civil Service, 350 of them (average age: 27) have reached the maximum point of their salary scale $1515. It could only create a poor incentive in the grade. The Government has failed to exercise the principle that the 'good employer provides adequate facilities for training and advancement' as suggested by the Fay Investigation Unit Report 1973.
The Trade Dispute
15.
Since August 1976, representatives of the Association have entered into negotiation with the Civil Service Branch for the improvement of their conditions of service. A series of ten 'consultative meetings' were held. The salary scale for the Shorthand-Audio Typist set by the Government was purely based on the figures and survey of the Pay Investigation Unit Report, which, in the opinion of the Association, is inaccurate and does not carry a broad comparison in respect of responsibility and remunerations for similar posts in the private sector. Inaccurate figures and discrepancies are also detected. Evidence could be produced if a flat denial is entered by the Official Side. The Association recom ended the use of the data published by the Hong Kong Productivity Centre under the heading of "Salary Trends & Fringe Benefits" as a supplement to the inadequacy of the Pay Investigation Unit Report. The official side rejected the research findings of the Hong Kong Productivity Centre Report. Despite the evidence produced by the Association, the official side insisted that they could see no room for the adjustment of the Shorthand-Audio Typist's salary scale, thus no agreement could be reached to achieve a package deal which would be acceptable to all.
16.
On 13th February 1977, at overnment House, all members of the Association presented a petition to His Excellency the Governor. The Secretary for the Civil Service,mthorized by His Excellency the Governor, replied on 1st March 1977 that the petition was lacking in fresh facts or evidence to justify any further variations to the new salary structure. We are of the firm belief that facts, figures, evidence whether old or fresh should not be the factor for rejection when there is ample merit and justification, existing in the arguments presented by the Shorthand-Audio Typists in the long past. lie deeply regret that the Secretary for the Civil Service has misled His cellency the Governor on this issue resulting in rejecting a fair review into the matter.
THE PAY INVESTIATION UNIT REFORT
17.
The Pay Investigation Unit Report was adopted by the official side as an agreed procedure between the Government and the Senior Civil Service Council. It was branded as the normal and correct procedure.
18.
An in-depth study into this Report has revealed that it is
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