Nestle’s month old union pressed the company for recognition and better pay and work hours yesterday. Around ninety-five percent, or 190, of Nestle’s local ice cream and milk delivery workers have become member of the union that was formed last month.

Prior to this meeting, the workers had a three day-strike in July, when Nestle agreed to raise drivers’ commissions by 5.9 per cent and those of ice-cream delivery workers by 8.1 per cent. Drivers currently make about HK$ 7,000 per month and delivery workers HK$ 6,000 in base salaries. They are demanding a rise of 8 per cent.

They want the work day to be shortened to 12 hours—during the high season from April to September—and nine hours during the low season from October to March, from the current 14 and 12 hours, respectively. The workers brought a list of 10 demands to negotiation table. The most three important demands are increase in base salary, shorter hours, recognition for the union. They also demand for more protection for temporary staff, more health providers in employees’ insurance plans, higher pay for good performance, and improvements to the logistics of delivery work.