3
Chairman informally with more information about the Commission. This offer was refused and the Union then sent in ite comments in a letter signed by itself and all its affiliates. A reply on the points raised has been sent to each of the signatories of the letter.
7.
Mr Luk made the point during one of the informal dialogues that the Union could stir up more trouble outside the Senior Civil Service Council than inside it. Having been declined à formal meeting with SCS, Mr Luk has apparently decided that the Commission provides a good issue on, which to demonstrate the Union's power. He has the support of the affiliates because it is a general issue on which the ledders can afford to comment without having to consult ordinary members of their respective associations. It is also an issue which is likely to get the support of other staff associations who may feel impatient in waiting for many months before getting results from the Commission. Moreover, it will soon be election time for the Urban Council and Tsin is anxious to get into the news as much as possible to rally support for his comrades. (Tsin is due for re-election in 1981). The Union has already asked the members of Civil Service staff associations to support a number of named candidates for election.
The Threat of Industrial Action
8.
About half of the affiliates are led by moderate people who are unlikely to be keen about adopting extreme measures. The affiliates classified as militant in the Appendix may have the propensity to take industrial action because of unsatisfactory relations with their own management but it is considered that their action may be restricted to a march to Government House, sticking up posters, mass meeting or a token fitting in. It is unlikely that other staff associations (about 90) will join the Union in the protest except perhaps the few HOD 1 staff associations which have been disappointed at the long time required by the Commission to produce material results.
Staff Relations Division,
Civil Service Branch