TNAG-0234-FCO40-270-Labour-disputes-and-trade-unions-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 124

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in the last resort: the repercussions of such a step

would be so serious that he would be loath to take such

action, unless it were forced upon him.

5. Having shown the mailed fist in his velvet glove, Mr Jenkins asked for advice as to how to proceed with

the task of persuading HAECO to recognise the Union. He was advised to write to Mr Wakeford of HAECO, ref- erring to his meeting last year and giving details of

cases in other countries where Unions have negotiated agreements with management although their members were

under contract. If, as the result of this, HAECO still

refused to recognise the Union, the local union could inform the Department of Labour that a trade dispute exists and request them to arrange for a conciliation meeting to be held.

16. Mr Jenkins accepted this advice and will act accor-

dingly and HAECO may expect to receive a letter from him shortly. Meantime, we enclose copies of letters exchanged between HAECO and the Union which were given to us by Mr Jenkins which show that the Union has gone

through the motions of applying for recognition with scrupulous correctness.

17. As you will know, Mr Jenkins' union has a reputation

for toughness, as indeed his activities in regard to

BOAC over the past few months confirm. At is to be

hoped that the present impasse between HAEC and the

A.S.T.M.S. can be resolved without recourse to extreme

action which would result in great disruption and harm to Hong Kong's economic development. The threat of

action from Mr Jenkins should not be lightly dismissed

and you may be able to have a word with HAECO in an

endeavour to get them to agree to deal with the Union

!

Enclose copies

of attached

letters.

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