XN000022-1973-05-15 — Page 6

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Tuesday, May 15, 1973

PAY RISE FOR COPPER-WARE WORKERS

Workers in the copper-ware trade are to receive wage increases of

between 15 and 18 per cent.

Representatives of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Copper-ware Union

and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Copper-ware Merchants Association today signed

a collective agreement on wage increases in the presence of officers of the

Labour Department.

This agreement, retrospective to April 16, provides for new piece

rates for some 300 items of copper-ware.

Union demands for a wage increase of from 20 to 25 per cent were

first put forward in early March.

The Labour Relations Service of the Labour Department was called in

to conciliate in the dispute in early April when direct negotiation failed

to bring about a compromise.

Two meetings between the parties concerned were subsequently held

at the office of the Labour Relations Service.

Settlement was reached on April 12 whereby it was agreed that a

collective agreement giving effect to the terms of settlement should be

drawn up this month.

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