All our activities have been legal: hospital union

A hospital union on Friday denied it had engaged in activities that were not in line with the Trade Unions Ordinance, including holding a strike last year and calling on the government to seal the border with the mainland.

The Hospital Authority Employees Alliance also dismissed allegations from the Registry of Trade Unions that its funds were used for political purposes.

Officials recently wrote to the alliance demanding an explanation for several matters, including the union setting up street booths, and it questioning the effectiveness of Sinovac jabs and the government’s LeaveHomeSafe app.

The letter also mentioned former union chairwoman Winnie Yu’s participation in primary polls for Legco elections last year. She was later charged with subversion under the national security law, along with 46 other people.

The alliance’s acting chairman, David Chan, said the concerns raised were based on science, and holding the strike was perfectly legal.

“Our alliance’s legal status and the past activities we organised, including the strike to fight for reasonable rights, should be protected by international covenants and the Basic Law,” Chan told reporters before submitting the union’s written response to the authorities.

He declined to comment when asked if the alliance has any plans to disband.