Striking HK dockers, employers negotiating with Labour Department help
THE Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) dock strike took a positive turn yesterday when both sides returned to the bargaining table under the sponsorship of the government Labour Department.
"We are happy that they are back to negotiations," said Ron Chan, marketing chief of the Hong Kong Shippers Council. "This is a very difficult period for our members. Everyone is pleased with news that they are talking again."
While talks resumed yesterday afternoon only the big stevedoring contractor, Wing Fung, turned up to negotiation, though HIT sent an observer.
The longstanding complaint of the Confederation of Trade Unions, which represents most of the striking dockers, has been the reluctance of HIT, the company that pays the contractors to pay the dockers, which stood aloof from the talks.
The dockers are seeking a 23 per cent wage increase while the contractors say they have offered 12 per cent over two years.
THE Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) dock strike took a positive turn yesterday when both sides returned to the bargaining table under the sponsorship of the government Labour Department.
"We are happy that they are back to negotiations," said Ron Chan, marketing chief of the Hong Kong Shippers Council. "This is a very difficult period for our members. Everyone is pleased with news that they are talking again."
While talks resumed yesterday afternoon only the big stevedoring contractor, Wing Fung, turned up to negotiation, though HIT sent an observer.
The longstanding complaint of the Confederation of Trade Unions, which represents most of the striking dockers, has been the reluctance of HIT, the company that pays the contractors to pay the dockers, which stood aloof from the talks.
The dockers are seeking a 23 per cent wage increase while the contractors say they have offered 12 per cent over two years.