OCCUPATIONS, WAGES AND LABOUR ORGANIZATION
Labour Disputes and Stoppages
There were singularly few stoppages of work in 1954 and the year's record was inferior only to 1952 when no more than 195 man days were lost. Conditions were comparatively stable and except in one instance left wing unions continued their policy of trying to attract more members by emphasis on welfare activities rather than by intervention in industrial disputes. The activities of right wing unions were, however, respons- ible for the loss of 930 man days in two unsuccessful strikes.
The only instance of active participation by left wing unions in an industrial dispute occurred in the campaign against the management of the Hong Kong Tramways, Ltd., on the question of termination of services for redundancy. At the end of the war this Company was faced with the necessity of undertaking an extensive rehabilitation programme covering its This permanent way, rolling stock and equipment. programme entailed the engagement of
many additional workers, and extra traffic staff was also engaged to deal with the increased traffic for the expanding population of the Colony. The rehabilitation programme is nearing completion and this, coupled with mechanical improve- ments to rolling stock such as pneumatically operated gates, has made a number of workers redundant. The Company has been laying off batches of workers over the last two years and in July, 1954 it dispensed with the services of 31 traffic men, among whom were the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the Tramway Workers' Union. All men laid off on the ground of redundancy have been given due wages in lieu of notice and a retiring gratuity of 10% of a year's basic pay
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