ENG-1956 — Page 69

OCCUPATIONS, WAGES AND LABOUR ORGANIZATION

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this, and the dispute concluded with some 20 of the former workers having been displaced by new trainees.

Cheoy Lee Shipyard. Following the revision of wages in the two European-managed dockyards in July, members of the Kowloon Dock Amalgamated Workers' Union and other left-wing unions employed in the Cheoy Lee Shipyard, which is next in size to the two major dockyards, also demanded wage increases in spite of the fact that their wages had throughout been higher than in the other two dockyards. The management refused to recognize the five workers who lodged the demands as representative of the whole body of workers, and 'go-slow' tactics were adopted in certain sections of the yard. At the end of August 87 workers taking part in the 'go-slow' action were laid off on grounds of redundancy. On 1st September agitators brought work to a complete standstill by throwing stones and metal scrap at those who had ignored exhortations to stop work. The management countered with a lockout, registered those will- ing to work on their existing terms and evaded the pickets by bringing their workers in by sea. New workers were engaged to bring numbers up to the original strength of 900. About 200 of the left-wing workers became unemployed as a result of the dispute and have since asked their respective unions to find other employment for them. During the dispute, the unemployed workers paid comfort visits and distributed propaganda leaflets to those at work in the yard, a reversal of the usual process. It is of interest that the wages paid in this yard are higher than in any other yard in the Colony. The demand for higher wages was due to the fact that the union backing it had already obtained an increase from the management of the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co. and its members employed in the Cheoy Lee yard considered that they should also receive an increase.

Lea Tai Textiles Co. Ltd. At the end of August this mill found itself in difficulties, and the management wished to curtail production and work two shifts out of three, the