GRS 270
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 190544Z JUN 80
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 782 OF 19 JUNE
АКК
43011
RECEIVED IN RES NO. 51 19 JUN 1980
INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG GOVVT OFFICE;
INDEX
PA
INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY HEALTH INSPEEP
भ
19/6
REGISTRY
ction Taken
Awiall
see (43
ON 13 JUNE 1980, MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH INSPECTOR GRADE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT STARTED INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN THE FORM OF A SIT-IN TO DEMONSTRATE AGAINST THE CATEGORISATION OF THE GRADE BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALAREIS AND CONDITIONS
OF SERVICE.
2. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE HEALTH INSPECTORS HAVE RESORTED
TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION TO PRESS THEIR CLAIMS. IN NOVEMBER 1979 THE HEALTH INSPECTORS STAGED A GO-SLOW FOR A WEEK BUT CALLED OFF
THE ACTION WHEN THE STANDING COMMISSION PROMISED TO REVIEW THEIR CASE. SINCE THEN REPRESENTATIVES OF PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION HAVE ATTENDED BEFORE THE STANDING COMMISSION AND HAVE PUT FORWARD WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS WHICH ARE NOW BEING STUDIED BY THE COMMISSION. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAS NOW DECIDED TO REVIVE INDUSTRIAL ACTION RATHER THAN TO WAIT FOR THE STANDING COMMISSION TO ANNOUNCE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT CONSIDERED THAT A SHOW OF FORCE MIGHT INFLUENCE THE STANDING COMMISSION'S FINAL DECISION.
3. ON 16 JUNE, OFFICERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH HELD A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION BUT WERE UNABLE TO PERSUADE THE ASSOCIATION TO CALL OFF ITS ACTION. WHILST EVERY ATTEMPT WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE TO PERSUADE THE HEALTH INSPECTORS TO RETURN TO NORMAL WORK, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO TAKE SANCTION ACTION BY SUSPENDING THEM FROM DUTY WITHOUT PAY IF
SUCH ATTEMPTS FAIL.
4. SO FAR, THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION HAS HAD ONLY MINIMAL EFFECT ON PUBLIC SERVICES. THE AREA WORST HIT IS THE ABATTOIRS WHERE ANIMALS
SLAUGHTERED DAILY HAS BEEN REDUCED BY UP TO 30 PER CENT, BUT AS YET THIS HAS NOT LED TO ANY SIGNIFICANT. RISE IN FOOD PRICES.
5. 1 SHALL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF DEVELOPEMENT.
MACLEHOSE
FLES HK+3D OLA
Copies F
HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE
CONFIDENTIAL
41