XN000022-1973-03-29 — Page 15

14

Thursday, March 29, 1973

LABOUR DISPUTE AT HIGH ISLAND SCHEME SETTLED

Wide-Ranging Agreement Signed

Workers and one of the major contractors on the $1,300 million

High Island Water Scheme this afternoon signed a wide-ranging agreement

following the settlement of a dispute which began on the site on Monday

and ended yesterday afternoon.

The agreement between Vianini S.P.A., the giant Italian

firm handling the construction work for the dam scheme, and their employees

on the site is the first of its kind to be signed by management and

workers on a major construction undertaking in Hong Kong.

It includes an undertaking to set up machinery for joint consultation,

and lays down procedures to be followed in future grievance or disciplinary

cases.

The agreement was signed this afternoon at the Kwun Tong office

of the Labour Relations Service in the presence of Labour Department officers

who helped workers and management frame the agreement.

The head of the department's Labour Relations Service, Mr. Tsui

Timfook, said this afternoon the agreement was regarded as a breakthrought

in the construction and contracting field.

"Management and workers have not reached such an agreement

before in any scheme of this magnitude, such as the Plover Cove scheme

or the Cross-Harbour Tunnel project," he said, "although there has obviously

been a need for it."

"We hope