Workers strike over dismissal of driver for not wearing a seatbelt while reversing
發佈日期: 2025-09-05 21:55
TVB News
Some employees at a Swire beverages factory went on strike today, accusing the company of rashly dismissing a driver.
The company responded by saying the driver violated operational rules and procedures, leading to his termination following due process.
A meeting between the union and management today ended without any resolution.
Dozens of employees assembled outside a Swire beverage factory in Sha Tin this morning, instead of performing their usual delivery operations. Police arrived at the scene after receiving reports and said the assembly had not been authorised.
The workers refused to comply with the officer's instructions.
The Swire Beverages (Hong Kong) Employees General Union, which initiated the strike, said the incident originated from the firing of a driver with 18 years of service who was involved in a traffic accident earlier this month.
The company completed its investigation on Thursday, concluding that the driver failed to wear a seatbelt while reversing, violating internal safety guidelines, and dismissed him.
The dismissed employee, surnamed Wong, said he had never heard of any rule requiring seatbelt use while reversing, nor did the company issue any statement to explain such regulations to employees, adding that he felt as if the company is moving the goalposts.
The union questioned whether the driver was targeted because he is a senior union member.
The union's vice president said the safety guideline the company referred to seems to have been newly implemented, and they were unaware of such an arrangement.
Swire Coca-Cola said the company had reviewed relevant records and found that the driver violated operational rules and procedures, endangering the safety of others.
The company added the driver's dismissal was carried out in accordance with the company's disciplinary and personnel policies.
Around noon, the Labour Department sent personnel to the scene to assist in mediating between the labour and management sides.
