HKK430/1
55
CONFIDENTIAL RECEPEED ***
**E REGISTRY NO. 51
NOV 1979
DESK OFFIC
INDEX
KEGISTRY
Action Taken
GSP 600
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 29092øZ NOV 79
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1675 OF 29 NOVEMBER
No
4/12
See 59.
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON
SUSPENSION OF DISPENSERS UNDER CSR611
PARAGRAPH 3 OF MY TELNO 1638 REFERS.
2. DISPENSERS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT PHARMACEUTICAL STAFF ASSOCIATION FIRST WORKED SELECTIVELY FROM 10 SEPTEMBER TO 16 OCTOBER TO PRESS FOR, INTER ALIA, IMPROVEMENTS IN MANNING SCALES AND PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES. THE ACTION WAS CALLED OFF WHEN THE ISSUES WERE SETTLED.
3. ON 16 NOVEMBER, MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AGAIN STARTED WORKING SELECTIVELY, THIS TIME IN PROTEST AGAINST THE RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE STANDING SALARIES COMMISSION. THE ASSOCIATION DEMANDS
A PAY STRUCTURE SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE RADIOGRAPHERS. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT AND CSB MET THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE ASSOCIATION ON 21 NOVEMBER IN AN ATTEMPT TO PERSUADE THEM TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS TO THE STANDING COMMISSION FOR FURTHER REVIEW AND TO REMIND THEM OF THE PROVISIONS OF CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS 610 AND 611. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO WARNED THAT UNLESS THE SELECTIVE WORKING WAS CALLED OFF, IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO APPLY THESE REGULATIONS TO OFFICERS WHO HAVE FAILED TO PERFORM THEIR USUAL DUTIES. THE ASSOCIATION REFUSED TO CHANGE ITS POSITION AND CONFIRMED ITS INTENTION TO CONTINUE WORKING SELECTIVELY ON 26 NOVEMBER.
4. THE DISPENSERS HAVE REFUSED TO CARRY OUT DUTIES IN EVENING, SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY CLINICS AND ALSO IN THE MANUFACTURING OF MEDICINE. THE DEGREE OF DISRUPTION CAUSED BY THEIR ACTION HAS SO FAR BEEN MINIMISED BY REDEPLOYING TO THESE DUTIES PHARMACISTS AND DISPENSERS WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. HOWEVER, THESE TEMPORARY MEASURES CANNOT BE MAINTAINED FOR TOO LONG AND IT MAY BECOME NECESSARY TO CLOSE SOME EVENING OR SUNDAY
CLINICS.
CONFIDENTIAL
/ 5. IN VIEW