TNAG-0785-FCO40-989-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H-A-Turn-1978 — Page 173

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nature of the SCSC and its general inadequacy has fostered the growth of

narrow interest groups to voice their grievances publicly. This narrowing

has not always been amiable especially in respect of lower white-collar grade

civil servants, whose representative the HKCCSA is most hamstrung by

the present structure of the Scsc.

and easy.

:

K

With regard to the legal environment it can be noted that the legal

requirements for registering a new union make formation both straight forward

Only seven signed applicants are required, there is no provision

concerning dual or competing membership coverage, and restricted representation

at central negotiations does not encourage the formation of larger union

bodies. In fact, the Trade Union Ordinance (or its administrative interpretation)

makes the formation of larger unions quite difficult. The government is

openly suspicious of large trade unions which it sees as potential political

instruments. It has taken full advantage of the present fragmented situation

to legitimate its paternalistic stance in staff relations. Several union

officials have labelled this as 'divide and rule'.

The federation or amalgamation of existing unions or the formation of

Section 53, Part I, Chapter

general type unions are fraught with impediments.

:

-332 of the Trade Union Ordinance appears to effectively preclude federation

of civil service unions by requiring that members of all component unions be

employed in the same trade, industry or occupation. The RTU rejected a

proposed federation of the IIKCCSA and 10 other civil service unions in 1972

on these grounds. Federation may be possible at department or grade level

but little interest has been expressed in this. Present rules frustrate

those bodies actively interested in joining together.

Attempts at amalgamation by civil service unions date back to 1966.

In 1975, 16 unions, including many involved in the 1972 federation attempt

(but not the HKCCSA), tried to amalgamate into what would have been by far the

largest civil service union in Hong Kong. This failed because its constituent.

members were not engaged in the same trade or industry and amalgamation also ·