TNAG-0823-FCO40-1030-Policy-on-salaries-for-civil-servants-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 43

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CONFIDENTIAL

機密

Situation Report on Major Pay Disputes (No. 2)

WELFARE CLASS

Current situation

(a) Assistant Social Welfare Officer rank

In response to the letter of 25.10.78 from the new Executive Committee of Association of Assistant Social Welfare Officers, a meeting with them was held on 10.11.78. At the meeting, management once again explained in detail the package of proposals to re- structure the Social Felfare Department. The following points were discussed exhaustively

(i) the rationale behind the 4-tier structure of

the Social Welfare Officer grade as opposed to the Association's proposal of a 3-tier structure;

(ii) the management's reasons for keeping its

options open on entry qualifications to the Social Welfare Officer grade; and

(iii) the reasons for setting point 34 ($5,325) of the

Ilaster Pay Scale (i.e. 4 points up on their present scale) as the maximum, as opposed to the Association's demand for point 36 (5,865).

The Committee conveyed management's explanations to their members at an E.G.M. on 14.11.78 but was unable to arrive at a decision. A further E.G.M. will be held on 21.11.78 to consider the package proposed by management. In the meantime, Assistant Social Welfare Officers are still refusing to process applications for Old Age Allowance for those between 70 - 74 years old. The Committee has been reminded that this constitutes industrial action and that further discussions may well not be possible if their members do not resume normal work. Appropriate action will be reviewed after the results of the 3.G.M. are known.

(b) Welfare Supervis. grade

At a meeting between management and the Welfare Supervisor Unit of the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants Association on 15.11.78, detailed explanations were once again given on the package of proposals. As a result of the explanations the staff accepted that there must be a selection process and regrading could not be automatic. Indications are that the Welfare Supervisor Unit and its members will now accept the package. A record

of the discussions was also agreed between staff and management.

CONFIDENTIAL

機密