14K.K.5/17
"Handed & M Rayle by the blike Seaking
a 14 Wecentes 1970
45)
THE NON-RECOGNITION OF ASTMS IN
HONG KONG
The Hong Kong Branch of the ASTMS was established late last year and registered under the Hong Kong Trade Union Ordnanace on February 17th, 1970.
Since that time, our members in the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd., have been attempting to secure recognition from the management as the negotiating body.
The first request for recognition was made on 18th February 1970. A reply from the General Manager on the
25th February acknowledged the request and said the matter would be considered.
However when Mr. Jenkins met Mr. Wakeford, the General Manager of the Company on October 30th 1969, in company with Mr. Mark Young of the Electrical/Plumbing Trades Union, they were glad to hear the Management state that proper relationships would result between the ASTMS Branch and the Company provided that all the legal requirements had been fulfilled. These requirements were met quite precisely and the Association expected normal collective bargaining arrangements to have resulted.
On April 3rd the Management formally refused recognition to the ASTMS as a negotiating body "since almost all year members are working under contract terms."
The question was then referred to the Foreign Office and a meeting took place between the General Secretary and Foreign Office officials on 5th May. It was determined that everything possible was being done in accord with the policy of the Governments of the U.K and of Hong Kong and a course of action was suggested which included the General Secretary writing to the Company and the Foreign Office contacting the Government of Hong Kong.
Following further requests from the Branch Secretary, the Company agreed to meet representatives of the members. This meeting took place on 25th May. Recognition was not granted and therefore on the 26th May a declaration of a dispute was made with the Commissioner of Labour.
It also became apparent at the interview with the Commissioner, that the terms of the meeting between G.S. Clive Jenkins and the Foreign Office Officials had not been conveyed to the Hong Kong Government.
The Management again met union representatives on the 2nd July. At this meeting they said they were prepared to discuss working conditions with the Union, but this did not amount to recognition. The position of ASTMS was to be discussed at the next board meeting.
On 7th July, the branch submitted a request to the management to discuss various matters concerning salaries and other condition in general.
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