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Unions and progressive allies in Hong Kong have been fighting for many years to establish a minimum wage. Their recent success in this regard (establishing a minimum wage of $US 3.50 per hour) was met with resistance from employers who began reducing other economic benefits of workers to “pay” for this increase. On September 17 and 18, thirty union organisers and trainers in the Hong Kong Building Management and Security Workers General Union, part of the Hong Kong Council of Trade Unions, held an organising training program. These Organisers believe that worker anger over these employer “take-backs” have created a good environment to initiate an organising campaign in Hong Kong.

Michael Crosby, the Organising Director for United Voice in Australia, provided an energetic and well-received training for these two days.

Crosby, Alice Dale (Head of Department at UNI Property Services) and key leaders in the HK Building Management and Security Workers General Union, also met with ISS on September 17 to notify the company of the union’s intent to organise cleaners in this market.

ISS employs 15,000 cleaners in Hong Kong and has signed a Global Agreement with UNI Global Union which provides a fair foundation from which to organise workers. Among other features, the UNI-ISS Global Agreement provides for a statement of neutrality from the local ISS management underscoring the right to organise freely and union access to workers on the job. ISS is one of the largest and best employers in Hong Kong and will provide a good jumping off point to organise this market.