TNAG-0130-FCO40-166-Staff-Associations-and-Trade-Unions-1969 — Page 58

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the aided sector had to be fully taken into account. Henderson added that major re- rading exercises were involved. When these were completed the possibility of affording options to serving officers might arise. Mr. Hodson expressed concern that a final answer on the assurance sought ight come too late for the staff side to be able to do anything about it. He enquired whether the assurance given in the Governor's recent address to Legislative Council that the personal position of serving officers would be protected included their prospects e.g. salaries on promotion. Mr. Clinton said he was unable to answer this but the point was taken and it would be considered.

40/5. Miss Lau said that unless serving women officers could progress to existing male scales they would not get equal pay with serving men. Mr. Clinton pointed out that if they did, and new scales were introduced for future entrants, the result might be that women would be paid more than men for doing the same job. ir. Chung enquired whether the Government had two separate equal pay schemes in mind, one for serving officers and another for future entrants and further, whether pay for teachers could be separated from the equal pay question. Mr. Henderson replied in the negative to both questions.

40/5. Mr. Hodson enquired when an answer would be given to the assurances now outstanding (i.e. progression of serving women to existing male scales and the preservation of existing prospects for all serving officers). Mr. Clinton could not give a date but assured the staff side everyone concerned was trying hard to reach finality. Mr. Hegarty suggested the Council's Constitution should provide for time limits on such matters. The Secretary observed this was not provided for in the British Civil Service staff relations machinery. Mr. Clinton said this could be investigated at some future date.

As to the matter at issue he hoped it would be possible for him to state the prospects of reaching agreement before the next meeting and that in the meantime he would personally convey the staff side's feelings on equal pay to the Governor and the Colonial Secretary. Mr. Hodson noted this with gratitude and re-iterated his association's intention of seeking reference to a Committee of Inquiry in the event of failure to reach agreement. Mr. Chung said that in such an event his association might have to consider separate administrative action (he did not elaborate on what this meant). Mr. Lai said he agreed with Mr. Hodson and thought the associations should consider setting out the principles on which they might (or might not) be able to arrive at agreement.

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