particularistic legal environment, government paternalism and the embryonic
stage of union development in Hong Kong.
This
The great majority of associations eschew political affiliation.
may be partly attributed to the socio-economic and political climate of Hong
Kong, whereby communist unions are not recognised by employers ia negotiations.
Until recently, even union membership was widely looked on as tantamount to
an overt political commitment. At the same time, civil service unions have
increasingly utilised the political and social pressure of media publicity,
press conference, work to rules, poster campaigns, marches, petitions and
peaceful picketting to secure basically industrial goals. Officials in more
militant unions are well aware of the intermesh of political and industrial
ramifications that follow on organised union action outside the formal -
channels of joint consultation. The choice of such modes of conflict not
only reflects the general immaturity of labour relations in Hong Kong but
_also (and more importantly) a rational assessment.on the part of union
officials of those types of action most likely to be effective given the size
of organisations, their resources and prevailing public attitudes. At this
stage an open trial of strength would be impractical. It might also backfire.
in the union's face, by alienating public opinion and providing the government
with grounds for a hard line intervention
than-adequate legal provisions.
:.
something for which there are more-
An attitude of open hostility and desire to bargain can be detected
at all levels in the civil service. It is most highly developed amongst
lower professional groups (such as teachers), general-clerical grades, technical
and other lower middle-civil service ranks. Even traditionally conservative
groups such as doctors, radiographers and local town planners display signs
of collective solidarity to the extent of organising dissent. Whether this
will lead ultimately, to a rationalisation of unions and overt collective
20
21
· bargaining is a moot point. Both England and Rear, and Miners
see such
20.
21.
England and Rear, Op. Cit.
N.J. Miners, Op. Cit.