TNAG-0822-FCO40-1029-Policy-on-salaries-for-civil-servants-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 505

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Jery useful Hurst.

Mr Thompson HKGD K 245

HONG KONG : DISPUTE WITH THE SHORTHAND AND AUDIO TYPISTS ASSOCIATION

1. I have been following up the point made at our meeting with Lord Goronwy-Roberts on 24 January that I should let the British trade union contacts of Mrs Cheung and Miss So know what the FCO is doing to try to bring the Association's dispute with the Hong Kong Government to an end.

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I accordingly spoke today to Mr Harry Batchelor of the Public Services International, Mr John Bloom of NUPE, and Mr Ken Thomas of the Civil and Public Services Association (CPSA).

3. My starting point in each case was Lord Goronwy-Roberts' meeting with Mrs Cheung and Miss So on 18 January when he undertook to, do what he could tohelp bring this dispute to a satisfactory conclusion. I emphasised that the Minister's undertaking was naturally given without commitment but he nevertheless hoped to find a way of facilitating the reopening of negotiations between the two sides with a view to achieving at least an interim solution acceptable, to both parties.

4. I went on to say that an official of the FCO had written to the head of the Civil Service in Hong Kong to pose certain considerations which might be re-examined by the Hong Kong Government. I mentioned the question of back-pay which might commend itself to Mrs Cheung and her associates as one element in an interim settlement if it could be combined with one or two comparatively minor concessions on such matters as

(i) Minimum salary;

(ii) Entry qualifications;

(iii) Promotion prospects

(iv) Proficiency increments.

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5. My talk with Mr Thomas of the CPSA is probably the key to future union action of the kind we hoped for. He said he would be writing to Mrs Cheung saying that he had taken informal soundings from an official contact and understood that ways were being sought to re-open negotiations in Hong Kong. If this should be the case he hoped Mrs Cheung and her associates would look carefully at any proposals made and would hesitate before rejecting them. If the Association wanted any advice he would be happy to provide it. If Mr Thomas does not receive a reply he will take it as a sign that negotiations have re-started and are going well. If points are referred to him for advice he will contact me. I emphasised the need to avoid saying anything to Mrs Cheung which she could publicise in Hong Kong as evidence that the FCO "is laying down the law to the Hong Kong Government" as this would be the surest way to wreck the chances of a peaceful interim settlement.

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