Striking dockers agree to meet key contractor alone
The Union of Hong Kong Dockers had insisted it would not resume talks if they were only with contractor Everbest Port Services on March 28. But union spokesman Stanley Ho Wai-hong yesterday said they were willing to go back to the negotiating table with Everbest in an attempt to break the deadlock.
Striking dock workers say they have decided to meet the contractor at the centre of their month-long pay dispute, without the other contractors involved.
The Union of Hong Kong Dockers had insisted it would not resume talks if they were only with contractor Everbest Port Services, which employs 300 of the 450 workers who walked off the job on March 28.
But union spokesman Stanley Ho Wai-hong yesterday said they were willing to go back to the negotiating table with Everbest in an attempt to break the deadlock. "We are not giving in … we are trying to resolve the dispute," Ho said.
Another contractor caught up in the dispute, Global Stevedoring Services, said it would close down after tomorrow. It employs about 130 of the striking dockers.
The union also hopes to talk to the port operator, Hongkong International Terminals (HIT), about the pay package and working conditions to be offered by the contractors who take over Global's work.
A representative of HIT was present at the last three meetings, but only as an observer.
