Port operator HIT seeks to clarify 'misleading' ad from strikers
The strike-hit port operator placed its third advertisement in newspapers on Tuesday, saying it needed to offer “the truth behind twisted remarks” earlier made by the strike organiser.
In the heavily worded advertisement, the Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) said that the advertisement placed by strike organiser Union of Hong Kong Dockers was “misleading” and that it needed to offer clarification.
The HIT advertisement criticised the union and union leader Lee Cheuk-yan for changing their statements about dockers’ pay rise in the past years.
It said that the unionists said at the beginning of the strike – on its 27th day on Tuesday – that the dockers’ pay at present is worse that what they got in 1997.
“But they later changed their mind and said it is not up to the 1995 pay level,” the advertisement said.
The ad said the pay level at present is actually better than in 1997, but did not say if it is better than in 1995.
It also emphasised that crane operators can get rest within their 12-hour shifts, fending off claims by the union that they get no rest at all.
It also criticised the union’s advertisement for misleading the public by saying Hutchion Port Holdings – of which HIT is under – made HK$780 million in profit last year.
HIT’s advertisement said this amount of profit is from all of the 52 ports from 26 countries under Hutchison Port. Profit made by HIT was less than one tenth of this amount.
Meanwhile, the 450 striking dockers will meet on Tuesday afternoon to discuss their next step.
