TNAG-0649-FCO40-797-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H.-A.-Tu-1977 — Page 33

CC/10/15 C Pt II

5th October 1977

You already have some idea of our reactions to Richard Morris' Report on Staff Relations in the Hong Kong Government, but I promised that I would also let you have the main points in writing. They are as follows:-

Staff Relations Machinery

Paragraphs 27 31

Although the 1968 Agreement with the three main Associations only provides for consultation, there is in practice a considerable degree of negotiation. The Official Side position at Senior Civil Service Council is no more inflexible than that of the Staff Side, possibly less so.

Paragraph 56

It is our experience that what many departmental or grade associations really want is direct consultation with Civil Service Branch, rather than participation in the Senior Civil Service Council.

Paragraphs 42 44

d)

A large number of grievances are in fact settled at departmental level with Civil Service Branch assistance and discussion does not necessarily have to take place in the departmental consultative council. It is at this level that grievances should normally continue to be dealt with, although the procedures for settling disputes need formalizing.

Paragraph 38

It should be noted that only 4 large departments have no consultative council.

Professor H.A. Turner,

Churchill College,

Cambridge University, Cambridge,

U.K.

/Para. 69