TNAG-0785-FCO40-989-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H-A-Turn-1978 — Page 154

20.,

4,505-strong. Hong Kong Government Clerical Staff Association and the

4,349-strong Hong Kong Urban Services Departmental Staff General

Association, do not possess central recognition but exceed in size

the largest of the 3 main staff associations represented on SCSC,

namely the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants Association. The three

main staff associations represented on SCSC cannot therefore claim any

Tegitimacy in terms of proportional representation.

What of the 94-minor unions who recruit in the Hong Kong Civil Service

yet are excluded from the SCSC? The reasons for their inception and

survival highlight the problem areas of staff relations.

Essentually, perceived inequities in the pay structure has created the

grounds for occupationally based unions whose main purpose is to press

sectional pay claims. Generally speaking, the success of sinall

organised groups in extracting concessions from the Government through

informal action has encouraged collective awareness amongst civil

*

servants. Sectional salary disputes have exposed the government's

vulnerability to public and industrial pressure and stimulated interest

in unions.

Another reason for union fragmentation, is the legal position (18).

The legal environment makes registration of a new union both straight-

forward and easy. Only seven signed applications are required, and there

is no provision concerning dual or competing membership coverage. In

addition, the federation or amalgamation of existing unions is fraught

with impediments. For example, Section 53, Part IX, Chapter 332 of the

(18) Labour law and its ramification for civil service unionism is

explored in an unpublished draft report by Professor D. Yerkary entitled "Trade Union Law and the Proliferation of Small Unions in Hong Kong". Like Professor Yebery's work, the research in this paper is part of a wider project in Hong Kong labour relations direct the by Professor Turner of Cambridge University and commissioned by British Foreign Office.