September 1977
Pay Investigation Unit Report
Minimum
22 Manufacturing HK$ 964
Company No. Classification
Maximum
HK$1408
20
Commerce
862
1483
21
Utilities
1160
1566
8
Commerce
932
1584
13
Miscellaneous
969
1672
14
Miscellaneous
746
1750
4
Miscellaneous
998
1760
17
Utilities
1162
1760)
1781 Median
7
Utilities
1402
1802)
27
Miscellaneous
1258
2099
19
Manufacturing
1155
2150
2
Commerce
1417
2190
23
Miscellaneous
1472
2216
3
Commerce
1244
2387
12
Commerce
1043 Median
2806
6
Commerce
1537
3024
11
Manufacturing
1022
(a)
(b)
The Pay Investigation Unit calculates salary scale for in-service S.A.T. at HK$1043 at minimum and HK$1781 at maximum, for the purpose of restructuring.
One single company represents a full pay level. Totally 17 companies provide minimum salary.
Note that the minimum ranging from $746 and $1537, which are too extreme for surveying purpose.
(c) Totally 16 companies provide maximum pay.
Note that the maximum ranging from $1408 and $3024 which are too extreme.
Some of these companies have only one S.A.T. staff.
F.
Scope of Survey
1.
Pay Investigation Unit Report
The 1973 and 1974 Pay Investigation Unit Report surveyed 24 private companies for setting salary scales for in-service S.A.T.s. In 1976 Pay Investigation Unit Report, only 17 companies from private sector were selected, a significant down trend in number of companies. The scope is getting smaller and smaller, as a result that the Pay Investigation Unit is bound and restricted by the "agreed" procedures.
2.
Hong Kong Productivity Centre Report
The Hong Kong Productivity Centre Report "Salary Trends & Fringe Benefits" is a valuable pay guidance for major companies in Hong Kong. In respect of S.A.T.s salary structure, a total of 177 companies were surveyed in this report covering more than 30% of the economically active population in Hong Kong, ground work for in-service S.A.T.s during the past negotiations.
Salary Scale
G.
1.
The 1976 Pay Investigation Unit Report
The salary scale for in-service S.A.T.s was calculated at $1043 minimum point, $1781 maximum point (after restructuring). It is noticeable that the present salary scale for S.A.T. is $855 at minimum and $1735 at maximum after restructuring.
2. The 1976 H.K. Productivity Centre
The Government S.A.T. Association adopted the Productivity Centre Report and calculate salary structure for in-service S.A.T. at $1135 at minimum and $2195 at maximum. Bearing in mind that the scope of Productivity Centre Report (177 companies) is far better than the Pay Investigation Unit Report (17 companies).
H.
Principles claimed by the Official Side
1. That the Pay Investigation Unit is a true and correct survey for all civil servants and claimed that, the S.A.T. should respect its accuracy.
2. That the existing grievances and the present salary scale for in-service S.A.T.s are regarded as "agreed" procedure, "normal" procedure and "correct" procedure not likely to be revised by the Official Side despite of ample grounds and evidence.
3. Should the S.A.T.s wish to propose any change, they should first refer their evidence to the Senior Civil Service Council, as an agreement was reached between the Official Side and the Senior Civil Service Council well before the
formation of the S.A.T. Association.
4. That the present salary scale set by the Government is regarded as appropriate and sufficient.
5. The Official Side, during previous meetings, admitted that they saw rooms for improvements in promotion prospect.
I
Contradictions
1. Refer to H.I., the S.A.T. Committee have spotted discrepancies and numerous errors within the Pay Investigation Unit Report and we clarified our points as follows:
(a) 17 companies participated in the 1976 Pay Investigation Unit
Report for in-service S.A.T.s, and it is unfortunate that even the 1973 and 1974 surveys offered a much larger scope (24 companies).
The mentioned discrepancy roughly contradicted to the principle of a larger scope offers a more reputable and accurate
statistics
survey.
(b) In the 1973 and 1974 Pay Investigation Unit Report, 24 companies participated in the survey, two of which were classified as manufacturing companies. We were surprised to find out that in the 1976 Pay Investigation Unit Report, out of the 17 companies originated from the 24 companies mentioned, there are a total of three manufacturing companies. The Official Side, during the past meetings with the S.A.T. representatives, unable to clarify the said discrepancy. We opine that the existence of this extra manufacturing company casts doubt on the accuracy of the Pay Investigation Unit survey. With details so far collected by the S.A.T. Association, the existence of Company No. 22 as stipulated in E.5 seemed not possible.
(c)
(d)
(e)
Conclusion
You are well aware that the current shorthand and typing speeds for in-service S.A.T.s are 70 w.p.m. and 40 w.p.m. respectively, and 80 w.p.m. and 50 w.p.m. respectively after restructuring. The Official Side repeatedly stressed on job comparability. However, the Pay Investigation Unit included Company No. 22 in which the S.A.T.s possessed a poor standard in shorthand and typing speeds, i.e. 50 w.p.m. and 40 w.p.m. respectively. It is well-known that the 50 w.p.m. shorthand speed is non-functional and we are surprised to learn that S.A.T.s of that calibre are quoted by the Pay Investigation Unit for comparison.
One company representing one pay level is not justified, as the median figure (which S.A.T. salary is based on) is also represented by only one company. How can one company represent the pay of 400 S.A.T.s?
The Company No. 22 when compared with the 2 manufacturing companies in 1974 Pay Investigation Unit survey, had the lowest maximum of salary $1408, which was even lower than the lowest maximum of the two manufacturing companies in 1974 Pay Investigation Unit survey $1506, it is ridiculous to take this company for comparison with salary surprisingly lower than the figure of 3 years ago.
The S.A.T.s have long been suffered from underpaid and received no promotion prospect at all. The adoption of Pay Investigation Unit Report in setting salary scale is inappropriate as discrepancies exist in the report. During all of the previous meetings with the Official Side, facts and evidence were presented when no constructive or satisfactory replies received. We opine that the Governemnt is still playing its famous delaying tactics. We see every reason that amendment in pay scale should be granted in view of our grade's grievances.
We had petitioned to His Excellancy Sir Murray Maclehose, the Governor of Hong Kong on the 13th February 1977, and our petition was handed to the Secretary for the Civil Service accordingly. No improvement was offered at that stage.
We were acknowledged by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr. A.J. Scott, who declared that should we be able to present fresh evidences with details from private sectors in supporting our claim, necessary improvements can be offered. In response, we then present fresh evidences based on grounds from Productivity Centre Report Salary Trends and Fringe Benefits 1975-76 as mentioned, which is a reputable survey published by the Hong Kong Productivity Centre in response to the demand for comprehensive data on the salary structure and fringe benefits of administrative, profession, technical and related staff in commerce and industrial which represents some 30% of the economically active population in Hong Kong. There are 177 companies in total participated in the mentioned survey for Shorthand Audio Typist grade, while only a segment of 17 companies were involved in the Pay Investigation Unit Report 1976. Moreover, the Pay Investigation Unit report reviews signficiant down trend as 24 companies was the scope of survey in the years of 1973 and 1974.
During the period of our negotiations, we had proceeded in “Poster” action on the 11th April 1977, in addition with the Industrial Action "Work-to-rule" affected from 23rd March 1977 to 18th July 1977. During which a series of 6 Consultative Meetings were held between the Official Side and representatives from Shorthand-Audio Typists Association from the period of May to July 1977. It is unfortunate that the Official Side again offered no sincerity and amendment towards the grievances of Shorthand-Audio Typists in the final stage.
The final versions of all previous meetings between the Official Side and the Staff Side were reported to S.A.T.s Association members in the Extra- ordinary General Meeting held on 22nd July 1977. During which a motion "Petition to Her Majesty the Queen" was raised. After careful consideration by the Committee and in view of the attitude and delaying tactics of the Hong Kong Government, it has been decided to appoint delegation to London to air the grievances of the whole of S.A.T.s as well as the Government's discrimination against this female grade. In addition, we also plan to petition the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Members of Parliament, Women's Association, relevant Civil Servants Unions and United Nation Association, and also arrange interviews with T.V., Radio and Press.