CONFIDENTIAL
ASSISTANT POSTMAN/POSTMAN.
A THE PAY SCALE FOR THE NEW GRADE OF POSTMAN SHOULD BE FURTHER
INCREASED:
B. THE WORKING HOURS PER WEEK SHOULD BE SHORTENED FROM THE EXISTING 48 HOURS NET (EXCLUDING LUNCH HOURS) TO 48 HOURS GROSS
(INCLUDING LUNCH HOURS):
POSTAL OFFICERS/SENIOR POSTAL OFFICERS.
C. THE PAY SCALES FOR THE POSTAL OFFICER AND SENIOR POSTAL OFFICER
RANKS SHOULD BE FURTHER INCREASED.
8. AT THE MEETING, THE UNION OF HONG KONG POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS, AFTER CLAIMING THAT MANAGEMENT
WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEDE TO THEIR REQUESTS, WITHDREW FROM THE MEETING AND STATED THAT INDUSTRIAL ACTION WOULD COMMENCE AS FROM
21.10.78.
9. THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG POSTAL WORKERS UNION (WHOSE MEMBERS MAINLY CONSIST OF POSTMEN, ASSISTANT POSTMEN
AND DRIVERS) AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE POSTMAN GRADE STATED THAT THEY WISHED TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS AND MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE INDUSTRIAL ACTION.
10. A FURTHER MEETING WITH THE HONG KONG POSTAL WORKERS UNION WAS HELD IN THE AFTERNOON ON 23.10.78. THE UNION REPRESENTATIVES
EXPLAINED THE REASONS WHY THEY FELT THAT THE STARTING PAY OF THE NEW POSTMAN GRADE SHOULD BE HIGHER WHILE THE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES PUT FORWARD REASONS FOR THE NEW PAY SCALE. EVENTUALLY, THE UNION REPRESENTATIVES APPRECIATED GOVERNMENT'S
STAND AND SUGGESTED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING UNTIL 30.10.1978 TO ENABLE THEM TO CONSULT THEIR MEMBERS.
11. AS THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION COMMENCED ON 21.10.78, POSTAL OFFICERS ENGAGED ON SORTING DUTIES SLOWED DOWN THEIR SORTING
SPEED. AS A RESULT, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED ON 22.10.78 THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 23.10.78 SERVICES FOR REGISTERED
MAIL, LOCAL PARCELS AND LOCAL PRINTED PAPERS WOULD BE SUSPENDED.
12. I WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENTS.
MACLEHOSE
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HKOGD
[PASSED BY COD]
COPIES
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
OFFICE, LONDON
CONFIDENTIAL