Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (HKPTU)

Historical Events: THE TEACHING PROFESSION'S RIGHTS

* The Founding of HKPTU:

In 1973, because of the economic depression, the government proposed to cut the salary of the C.M. (Certificate Master / Mistress) teachers by 15%. The teachers staged a full-scale strike. After a lot of hardship, they succeeded in forcing the government to withdraw its proposal. To protect their job interests, the teachers decided to form a union -- hence the establishment of Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (HKPTU).

* School Principals' Rights:

HKPTU does not only protect teachers' rights, but also the rights of principals. For example, in 1992, the principal of the Confucius Hall Middle School was dismissed by his school board. HKPTU helped him to receive a fair treatment.

* Job Protection:

- The Golden Jubilee School Incident:

In 1978, the Golden Jubilee School was shut down by the Education Department and 16 of its teachers were dismissed. Through HKPTU's effort, all the teachers were re-employed.

* Better Pay:

- Better Teaching Staffing for Primary Schools in Primary Schools:

Since 1994, a primary school with 24 classes can hire one more teacher every year for three consecutive years.

- Same Pay for Same Duties for Secondary and Primary Graduate Master (G.M.) Teachers:

The Education Commission Report No. 5 recommended the G.M. teachers in primary schools to be paid four points less on the pay scale than the G.M. teachers in secondary schools. Through HKPTU's effort, since 1994, this has been adjusted to "same pay for same duties and qualifications."

* Better Working Conditions:

- Paid Sick Leave:

HKPTU worked with other labour unions and successfully secured 180 days of accrued paid sick leave for all workers in Hong Kong. Through the PTU's effort, teachers' annual sick leave is now increased to 24 days for the first year and 28 days for the second year.

- Probation:

Since 1987, the probation period of panel heads in aided primary schools has been reduced from two years to one year.

* Better Fringe Benefits:

- Maternity Leave:

Since 1990, maternity leave for female teachers has been improved from half pay to full pay.

- Substitute Teachers for Sick Leaves of three days or more:

Since 1986, the union has got the government to agree to provide funding for schools to hire substitute teachers for sick leaves not shorter than three days instead of the original seven days.

* Efforts Made in 1995-1996:

- Request to Improve the Code of Provident Fund Scheme for Aided Schools:

For years, HKPTU has repeatedly asked the Provident Fund Management Committee to improve the Codes of Provident Fund Scheme for Aided Schools. To be fair, teachers who leave the profession in the middle of the school year should be allowed to receive their dividends up to the last month of their service on a pro rata basis. Our suggestion is now finally accepted by the Committee.

- Request to Increase the Number of Clerical Staff in Primary Schools:

In recent years, teachers in primary schools are hard pressed by clerical work. HKPTU has been requesting the Education Department for years to increase the number of clerks in primary schools. Our Chairman, Mr Cheung Man Kwong has even raised the issue in the Legislative Council. The Education Department has promised to look into the situations, but so far nothing has been done about it. HKPTU will continue to press on with the issue.

* Efforts Made in 1994-1995:

- Salary Improvement for Kindergarten Teachers:

For many years, most kindergarten teachers were very poorly paid, unlike situations in primary and secondary schools. The government did not provide kindergarten teachers with a proper pay scale. In 1994, HKPTU succeeded in getting the Board of Education to enact a subsidy program for kindergartens to make it possible for them to pay their teachers according to a reasonable pay scale. The governor has also promised to allocate one hundred and sixty million dollars for teachers' training to bring about better professionalism in kindergarten education.

- Active Participation in the Council on Professional Conduct in Education (CPCE):

The CPCE is a transitional organization. It may be developed into a teachers' council. The CPCE deliberates on cases related to professional conduct. HKPTU has several representatives elected to the CPCE. Hopefully, the CPCE will develop into a teachers' council according to the principles of democracy and professional autonomy, like other professional organizations such as the HK Medical Council and the HK Bar Association.