THREAT 3 HONGKONG ADD 0820
TWOTHOUSAND TRAMWAY MEN AT AN EMERGENCY MEETING TODAY, REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE MANAGEMENT'S DISMISSAL NOTICES AND INSISTED THAT THEIR DEMANDS BE MET.
CHAIRMAN KWAN PING SAID THE MEN WERE "EXTREMELY ANGRY" WITH THE MANAGEMENT. HE ADDED:
GENERATIONS OF
FOREIGNERS IN THE TRAMWAY HAVE MADE A RICH LIVING BUT WE ARE POOR. OUR LABOUR HAS BEEN EXPLOITED."
KWAN PING DESCRIBED A CHINESE WORKER WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE STRIKE AS A "TRAITOR" WHO WOULD BE "LIQUIDATED."
THE GOVERNMENT LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND WORKERS WILL MEET LATER TODAY IN A FURTHER ATTEMPT TO SETTLE THE DISPUTE.
LORRY LOADS OF ARMED TROOPS BELONGING TO THE THIRD COMMANDO BRIGADE ENTERED POLICE HEADQUARTERS THIS MORNING. A POLICE OFFICIAL SAID THEY WERE ENGAGED IN A "ROUTINE SECURITY EXERCISE."
REUTER
0937
25
;