It's a summer of discontent. First, about 200 Vitasoy workers struck for two days on July 11. Ten days later, about 300 Watsons Water workers went on strike for two days to fight for better pay. Five days after that dispute was settled, about 100 Nestle workers went on a three-day strike. Then, during the Nestle row, there was a brief labour dispute at distilled-water provider Jackel Porter.
However, compared with the marathon battle involving bar benders last year, these latest disputes were short-lived. Even in terms of the number of strikes, this year has seen many fewer than last year. From January to June this year, there were 45 cases. The same period last year saw 66.
Nevertheless, the strikes this summer deserves close attention from both unions and employers because of the trend they illustrate.
Unlike most labour disputes in Hong Kong, in which laid-off workers seek compensation, these workers were striking for better terms and conditions.
'Usually, most workers will not go on strike while they are still in their jobs because they are worried that management will sack them or give them a hard time afterwards,' said Kwong Chi-kin, a retiring legislator for the labour constituency.
Moreover, in the latest cases the workers approached labour unions themselves to get action, rather than the other way around.
Throughout last month's strikes, one man consistently provided support to the workers' representatives: Mung Siu-tat, the organising co-ordinator of the Confederation of Trade Unions, the second-largest labour group in Hong Kong. Even when Mr Mung was not there in person, his colleagues were on hand to offer support.