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YRTELNO 2173: INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY POSTAL WORKERS IN HONG KONG
1. COPY OF LETTER REFERRED IN YRTUR NOT RECEIVED.
2. FOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE RECENT INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY POSTAL WORKERS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR TELNO 3317 OF 13 NOVEMBER.
3. WE DO NOT AGREE WITH THE CLAIM BY THE BRITISH UNION OF COMMUNICATION WORKERS (UCW), THAT BY USING THE CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS AND ARTICLE 16 OF THE LETTERS PATENT, WE ARE VIOLATING THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION CONVENTION 151. INDEED, WE HAVE SET UP A STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND A STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE TO PROVIDE INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL ADVICE ON THESE MATTERS. WE HAVE ALSO ESTABLISHED A SYSTEM OF COMMUNICATION WHEREBY CIVIL SERVANTS MAY, EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR THROUGH THEIR UNIONS, DISCUSS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN. THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE SPIRIT OF ARTICLES 7 AND 9 OF ILC 151.
4. WE BELIEVE IN RESOLVING CIVIL SERVICE DISPUTES THROUGH FRANK AND DIRECT DIALOGUE BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND STAFF. IN THE EVENT OF DISRUPTION OF SERVICE, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO INVOKE CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS TO ENSURE THAT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC ARE MAINTAINED. THE LETTERS PATENT ESTABLISH THE BASIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TERRITORY. ARTICLE 16 PROVIDES A SOURCE OF POWER EXERCISED BY THE GOVERNOR THROUGH THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE TO ESTABLISH AND CONTROL THE CIVIL SERVICE. IT DOES NOT SERVE TO DETER INDUSTRIAL ACTION ORGANISED BY UNIONS.
6. THE SUBJECT WAS ALSO RAISED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 21 NOVEMBER AND THE AG CHIEF SECRETARY REPLIED ALONG THE ABOVE LINE.
WILSON
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