[080513.EN.SEA] Hong Kong's 40-day Dock Strike Ends When Both Sides Meet Half Way

BOTH management and labour met half way, ending a 40-day Hong Kong dock strike by settling on a 9.8 per cent wage increase which started with a 23 per cent demand from dockers and a five per cent offer by waterfront employers.

But details were not worked out yesterday and the dockers did not abandon their tent encampment festooned with protest banners outside the Cheong Kong Centre in Central, where the ultimate owner of the strike-bound Hongkong International Terminals (HIT), Hutchison Whampoa, is headquartered.

The Hong Kong Labour Department asked and received the terms of the settlement offer in writing from the stevedoring contractors, who employ the dockers directly, which confirmed the offer made to the dockers.

A meeting of the Union of Hong Kong Dockers voted 80 per cent to accept the offer Monday night, though 100-odd crane drivers were not happy. They represented 91 per cent of the no-votes in an earlier poll.

HIT released a statement: "We are pleased to learn that the striking dockers have accepted the 9.8 per cent pay rise solution for all job types offered by the external contractors. This is beneficial for all parties involved: the workers can return to their posts and the company can focus on restoring the port to its full operational capabilities. In addition, HIT has proactively communicated with its external contractors and urged them to recruit the ex-Global crane operators who have yet to finalise new employment arrangements. Let us work together to maintain Hong Kong's reputation as an international maritime hub."

Source : HKSG, 08.05.13.