TNAG-0785-FCO40-989-Study-of-labour-relations-in-Hong-Kong-by-Professor-H-A-Turn-1978 — Page 176

16.

16

channels if internal relativities were to be maintained;

Officials

in older established unions tended to express frustration, envy and/or

interest in this trend to informal action.

...Active young officials are prominent in unions formed since 1971.

Even many older officials in conservative senior level staff associations

have become openly critical of the 'British Club' atmosphere which is seen

to impinge on their members'-autonomy, promotion prospects, salary, job

control and status.

13

Civil service staff associations are pre-occupied with maintaining

17 or improving salaries, promotion prospects, fringe benefits and occupational/

professional status. Of less immediate importance to members is job security,

shorter hours and physical working conditions. This ranking of priorities

is certainly not unique to Hong Kong and can be found in the civil service

of other industrialised societies.

Almost all unions closely compare the salary scale of their members

to other grades within the service. About half make specific comparisons with

occupations in the private sector and several (for instance, the air traffic

controllers) even take cognizance of trends in overseas conditions.

Union-officials

stressed the trade union functions of their organisation.

Only a few professional bodies interviewed bothered to mention other functions

(such as education) even in a subsidiary light. This, and other evidence,

demolishes the notion that many civil service unions are disguised social

clubs. Not one body fitting this description could be located. Their raison

d'etre is derived directly from the work setting. Although the philosophy of

these unions is closely akin to public service unions elsewhere (fostered no

19

doubt by links with the PSI, PTTI, ICT and other international bodies),

their structure and operation is more primitive reflecting smallness, inexperience

16.

From the union survey.

Space unfortunately does not permit a fuller breakdown

of the results of this survey which yielded much data on the attitude of union officials.

17. Especially housing allowances and provisions which are critical in Hong Kong.

There were several notable exceptions here such as the air traffic controllers who face rigid medical tests.

13.

19.

See glossary.