The Union of Hong Kong Dockers (UHKD) has called an end to the 40 day strike at Hongkong International Terminals’ (HIT) Kwai Tsing Port after accepting an improved wage offer and promises of further negotiations on working conditions.
With support from the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), UHKD called for a meeting with Everbest Technologies Ltd and HIT on 6 May after previous negotiations on 3 May failed.
A new salary plan with a 9.8% increase in the basic wage has been agreed for all employees at different works in the Kwai Tsing container terminals, effective for one year from 1 May 2013.
The contractors’ written confirmation also gives details committing the employers to “improve the occupational safety and health protection with the terminal companies”, as well as providing the crane operators the right “to stop the machine to take lunch freely”, and “leave their workplace for the toilet”.
In a statement released on 6 May, UHKD said: “We have demonstrated again the importance of workers’ unity in fighting not only for reasonable pay, but also our dignity and our future.”
Although UKHD has called an end to the strike, it is still working to ensure the re-employment of its members, the hundred crane operators employed by Global Stevedoring, who were laid off on 18 April.
Source:portstrategy.com
