RECOGNITION OF RIGHT TO STRIKE - ACTION AGAINST TEMPORARY CLERKS ON STRIKE (Disparity in treatment)

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Chief Secretary-

(a) whether the Government recognises the fundamental right of a Trade Union to go on strike;

(b) to state the reasons why action was taken against those temporary clerks who went on strike;

(c) to state the reasons for the disparity in the treatment of temporary clerks, who were under notice of termination of service, as between those who went on strike and those who did not go on strike.

Mr S. T. Stewart: Mr Speaker, Sir, with regard to (a) the answer is Yes.

With regard to (b), there was no official strike of the temporary clerks. What happened was that on the 29th of April two temporary clerks, whose services were to be terminated along with others the following day, absented themselves without permission from their offices and picketed the Government offices, Empress Place. It is understood that they were joined there by four other clerks all of whom had obtained leave of absence. Their action did not have the support of the only union which is recognised as representing the clerical classes, and they did this at a time when the union representatives were negotiating for an extension of the notices terminating their service. The two clerks who had absented themselves did not turn up at their office on the 30th. There was therefore no question of extending their notices.

With regard to (c), Sir, as I have already stated, there was no official strike. To the extent that those who stayed away without leave did not have their notices extended, there was disparity of treatment, but I have already indicated the reason for this in my previous answer. Those who continued to serve up to the 30th of April were allowed to stay on for another month pending the result of the review of the case of temporary clerks by the Public Service Commission. There was, however, no difference in treatment in the matter of the review by the Public Service Commission. Those who absented themselves were not excluded from the review and the Government had made it clear to the union and in a public statement that if, on review, any of them were recommended for absorption, they would be reinstated in the service.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Chief Secretary tell us what action was taken against those four clerks who had permission to be absent?

Mr Stewart: Mr Speaker, Sir, with regard to those four clerks, as they had leave of absence, they returned to their offices and no action was taken against them.