The Hong Kong & Kowloon Life Guard's Union is urged to adopt a positive and sincere approach in resolving differences, though it has decided not to join two working groups.

The union turned down the invitiations at a meeting with the Leisure & Cultural Services Department today.

Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Anissa Wong said: "We sincerely hope the union will join hands with us in working out ways to further enhance our lifeguard service to the public."

At the meeting, the department explained to the union in detail the aims and work principles of the two working groups - one to study the mechanism to set the salary level of temporary contract lifeguards, and the other to review the lifeguard establishment.

"Although the union has decided not to join the working groups, we will keep them informed of the work progress and we welcome their participation," she said.

Working group to start manpower review

To expedite the manpower review which needs time to thoroughly study deployment arrangements in each of the department's 36 pools and 32 beaches, the related working group will hold its first meeting tomorrow.

Besides department officers, the working group will include management staff and lifeguards of swimming venues and a Life Saving Society representative.

The group will also discuss views garnered from frontline staff during recent visits to the department's swimming venues.

The working group salary levels will hold its first meeting on August 18.

Ms Wong said staff are welcome to make use of opinion boxes placed at all district leisure services offices or send email (workinggroup@lcsd.gov.hk) to air their views and suggestions.