TNAG-0234-FCO40-270-Labour-disputes-and-trade-unions-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 131

CYPHER/CAT, A

PRIORITY HONG KONG

TELEGRAM NO 284

CONFIDENTIAL

TC FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

2 MAY 1970

CONFIDENTIAL

YOUR TELEGRAM 262: HONG KONG AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING COMPANY.

2. MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL STAFFS, HONG KONG (REGISTERED ON 17 FEBRUARY, 1970)

IS 67.

3. I UNDERSTAND THAT CLIVE JENKINS DISCUSSED RECOGNITION OF THE

ASSOCIATION WITH THE MANAGER OF HAECO DURING HIS RECENT VISIT

HERE AND WAS LED TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WOULD PRESENT NO PROBLEM.

THE COMPANY'S DECISION MUST THEREFORE HAVE BEEN A SHOCK BOTH

TO HIM AND TO LOCAL OFFICERS.

Lea

MY INFORMATION IS THAT HAECO CONSIDERS IT UNNECESSARY TO

ACCORD RECOGNITION SINCE MOST OF ITS SENIOR ENGINEERING AND

TECHNICAL STAFF HAVE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT. THE

ASSOCIATION, HOWEVER, WISHES TO NEGOTIATE REVISED CONTRACTS FOR

MEMBERS AND, AMONG OTHER THINGS, REMOVE ANOMALIES IN BASIC PAY

BETWEEN LOCAL AND EXPATRIATE STAFF AND BRING SALARIES INTO LINE

WITH RATES ELSEWHERE FOR PERSONEL WITH SIMILAR QUALIFICATIONS.

IT IS ALSO KNOWN THAT ASSOCIATION MEMBERS CONSIDER HAECO

TO BE UNDERSTAFFED AND THAT ON THIS ACCOUNT MEMBERS FREQUENTLY

HAVE TO WORK THROUGH A SHIFT WITHOUT A MEAL BREAK AND WITHOUT

MY EXTRA PAY OR TIME OFF IN LIEU. NIGHTS SHIFTS, REST DAYS,

MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR FAMILIES OF STAFF LIVING ON HONG KONG

ISLAND ARE OTHER MATTERS THE ASSOCIATION WISHES TO RAISE WITH

THE MANAGEMENT.

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LAST

ki

/5. IN

HKIS/17

CONFIDENTIAL

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