XN000022-1977-08-24 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1977

BETTER PAY AND PROSPECTS FOR PWD SURVEYORS

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THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A NEW SIMPLIFIED STRUCTURE WITH IMPROVED PAY SCALES AND CAREER PROSPECTS FOR A NUMBER OF THE TECHNICAL GRADES IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. THE NEW SCALES TAKE EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1, 1977.

AT THE SAME TIME IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE GOVERNOR WOULD APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE OF ENQUIRY TO ENQUIRE INTO THE FACTS OF THE CURRENT DISPUTE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND P.W.D. STAFF ASSOCIATIONS ABOUT THE NEW STRUCTURE, AND TO PROFFER INDEPENDENT ADVICE ON THE FAIRNESS OR OTHERWISE OF THE NEW PAY STRUCTURE.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. RON BRIDGE, SAID THAT THE APPROVAL OF THE NEW STRUCTURE WITH ITS THREE MAIN GRADES OF INSPECTOR/CLERKS OF WORKS, TECHNICAL OFFICER AND SURVEY OFFICER FOLLOWED PROLONGED DISCUSSIONS WITH THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS CONCERNED.

HE IS CONFIDENT THAT THE NEW PAY SCALES ARE VERY FAIR AND REASONABLE.

HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT YET BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS.

AS A RESULT OF THE DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND STAFF MOST OF THE MEMBERS OF ONE OF THE ASSOCIATIONS, THE ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT LAND AND ENGINEERING SURVEYING OFFICERS (AGLESO) COMPRISING LAND AND ENGINEERING ASSISTANTS IN THE PW.D., HAVE BEEN REFUSING TO PERFORM OUTDOOR SURVEY WORK, WHICH CONSTITUTES THE BULK OF THEIR USUAL DUTIES, SINCE JULY 12, 1977.

MR. BRIDGE SAID THAT THE REVISED STRUCTURE AROSE FROM A DETAILED STUDY OF THE WORK AND ORGANISATION OF THE P.W.D. TECHNICAL GRADES,

HE EXPLAINED THAT LAND AND ENGINEERING SURVEYING ASSISTANTS USUALLY ENTER WITH CLERICAL LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS (CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION), DO THREE YEARS TRAINING AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE, AND ON COMPLETION OF THEIR TRAINING RECEIVE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL JUMP IN SALARY OF OVER $1,000 A MONTH.

THE NEW STRUCTURE GIVES THEM HIGHER PAY SCALES AND GREATLY IMPROVED CAREER PROSPECTS. FOR EXAMPLE, IT PROVIDES THE 442 LAND AND ENGINEERING SURVEYING ASSISTANTS WITH:

* A GRADE TITLE OF SURVEY OFFICER WHICH HAD BEEN SUGGESTED

BY AGLESO ITSELF,

* STARTING PAY OF $2,240 ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THEIR

TRAINING,

*

A $305 (10.4%) INCREASE PER MONTH IN PAY FOR THOSE ON THE MAXIMUM OF THE BASIC SURVEY OFFICER RANK SCALE IN ADDITION TO THE RECENT GENERAL CIVIL SERVICE PAY INCREASE OF 7.5%,

/ GREATLY