Unions predict crisis in spat with civil service minister
Deteriorating relations between civil service unions and the minister in charge of public servants are nearing crisis point, union bosses have warned.
The caution came after Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph Wong Wing-ping reportedly slammed the table and stormed out of a meeting with union representatives on Wednesday after they accused him of 'playing tricks' in preparing for a pay-level review.
Leung Chau-ting, chairman of the Federation of Civil Service Unions, said he expected that the conflict between staff unions and Mr Wong would intensify.
'Our relations have never been good, we are just like strangers whenever we meet,' Mr Leung said. 'Although we have not yet reached the point of calling for his resignation, his retirement from the civil service has dealt a blow to our relations - and they will get worse.'
Mr Wong's decision to retire from the civil service but remain as a politically appointed minister has enraged staff unions, which said he was unable to represent them and protect their interests in Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa's cabinet.
A forthcoming pay survey is the latest source of conflict between the two sides, following a series of enforced pay cuts.
At Wednesday's meeting, Mr Wong was questioned about the decision not to appoint consultants to conduct the pay survey through open tender, which unionists fear may be against staff interests.
