Hong Kong MTR workers' union demands pay rise of 8pc

A staff union that represents railway workers on the MTR has slammed the average 5.25 per cent pay rise offered by the MTR Corporation, demanding an 8 per cent rise instead.

The Federation of Railway Trade Unions expressed fears that workers' morale would plummet and warned of possible strike action.

Federation chairman Lam Shiu-wai, who met MTR Corp management yesterday, said of the offer: "It is deeply disappointing. The company is making good money but does not share the fruit with its employees."

Lam said the union's demand was reasonable to keep up with inflation and to repay the workers' efforts, especially for handling increased traffic during last year's Occupy protests.

He said the federation would not rule out industrial action but would consult members first.

According to the MTR Corp, most of the company's 14,000 non-managerial workers would receive a pay rise of 4.75 per cent or above. Depending on performance, a worker can also receive a special bonus and other allowances equivalent to as much as 2.17 times their monthly salary. The new pay rates come into effect this month.