Chapter 316: Hanxing Group is on Strike!

At ten o'clock the next morning, the sunlight slanted through the office's glass windows, casting a mottled pattern of light and shadow on the floor.

Tang Ye had just finished organizing the materials he had stayed up all night to prepare and was just about to head to Jiang Jing's office to report.

The landline on the desk suddenly rang sharply.

The call was from Du Chengfeng, his voice carrying a hint of urgency.

"Just received news, the workers at Hanxing Group have gone on strike."

Tang Ye's hand gripping the receiver tightened slightly, a jolt of shock passing through his heart.

The city was in the midst of intensively pushing forward the resolution of the Hanxing Group issue; for a strike to break out at this moment was clearly completely beyond the expectations of Zhou Chengwu and Jiang Jing.

They had consistently pursued an orderly investigation and proper handling within a controllable scope, striving to minimize the impact.

"I will report to Mayor Jiang immediately!" Tang Ye clutched the materials and hurried to knock on the door of Jiang Jing's office.

Upon hearing this news, Jiang Jing's gaze darkened slightly, and she asked with a grave expression: "Did Secretary-General Cheng Feng convey Secretary Zhou's instructions?"

Tang Ye reported truthfully: "Secretary Zhou emphasized prioritizing the stability of the overall situation, pushing for the workers to resume work as soon as possible, and simultaneously conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the strike, resolving any problems promptly. However, as for the strike organizers, they must be dealt with strictly and without leniency. Secretary Zhou has already convened a small-scale meeting and is currently discussing specific solutions."

The so-called small-scale meeting referred to the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee Five-Person Group Meeting, with members including the Municipal Party Secretary, the Mayor, the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, the Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary, and the Municipal Organization Department Minister.

Although Jiang Jing's ranking among the Standing Committee members was higher than that of the Municipal Organization Department Minister, she still did not have the qualifications to attend the meeting.

Half an hour later, Jiang Jing received instructions and was fully entrusted with handling this incident.

She immediately ordered Tang Ye to contact the Municipal Finance Bureau, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the West District Mayor, and other relevant departments to head to Hanxing Group together.

When the group stepped into the Hanxing Group conference room, the group's leadership and the heads of various departments had already been waiting for a long time.

Jiang Jing sat down steadily and turned her gaze toward the group's person-in-charge, Guo Yi: "Comrade Guo Yi, tell us in detail about the specific situation of the strike."

Guo Yi cleared his throat, his tone appearing slightly nervous: "Actually, there were signs as early as yesterday afternoon. General Manager Gao Dongcheng went personally to do ideological work, but the atmosphere on-site became tense, and he was even beaten by the workers; he is still receiving treatment at the hospital. The Police Station dispatched officers to control the ringleaders, but unexpectedly, the strike broke out overnight. If it weren't for our timely persuasion, the situation might have escalated to workers taking to the streets to surround the Government."

Jiang Jing continued to press: "Has the root of the problem been found?"

A bitter trace appeared at the corner of Guo Yi's mouth.

"Hanxing Group is an old state-owned factory with decades of history and a heavy burden. This year, efficiency has declined severely, and several branch factories are facing production shutdowns, so we can only arrange for a group of people to be on leave without pay. With the end of the year approaching, I don't know who spread the word that wages might not be paid this year, which triggered the workers' misunderstanding."

"What are the workers' specific demands?"

"First, they oppose the leave without pay, and second, they demand the payment of six months' back wages..."

Jiang Jing's voice suddenly turned cold: "In other words, wages have already been in arrears for half a year?"

Guo Yi wiped the cold sweat from his temples and explained: "The efficiency this year is truly too poor; we really cannot come up with the money. We intend to close two branch factories and sell off the equipment; we have already found a buyer."

Tang Ye keenly captured the flash of anger in Jiang Jing's eyes.

He understood Jiang Jing's thoughts at this moment too well; selling production lines to trade for survival, this method of tearing down the east wall to repair the west wall was no different from drinking poison to quench thirst—how was it any different from a spendthrift?

Jiang Jing turned her gaze toward the various functional departments: "Do you all have any suggestions?"

The Director of the Municipal State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, Dai Weimin, spoke with cautious wording: "The operational difficulties of Hanxing Group this year have both market factors and internal management problems; there is both a short-term fuse and historical lingering contradictions. To resolve it thoroughly is extremely difficult. The top priority is still to quell the strike first and ensure social stability."

Guo Yi hurriedly spoke up: "I have reported to Bureau Chief Cao; can we get some loans first, or borrow some money from the Municipal Finance Bureau, so the employees can receive their six months' wages and get through the immediate difficulty? As for subsequent reforms, reorganization, and dismissals, we will fully cooperate. There are seven or eight thousand workers in the factory now; if their income is cut off, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Cao Zhengchun, however, poured a bucket of cold water without mercy: "You approached me before, and I also communicated with several banks. As soon as they heard it was a loan for Hanxing Group, no matter how much I pleaded, their attitude remained cautious. Banks also have to consider risk issues."

Guo Yi looked at Jiang Jing again, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness: "If the wages cannot be paid, the workers will definitely cause trouble again."

Tang Ye shook his head inwardly; this Guo Yi's psychological quality was actually quite good. After such a big problem occurred, not only did he not have the slightest guilt, but he instead put on a posture of lying flat.

The discussion in the conference room fell into a deadlock; everyone kept circling back to the word "money."

Tang Ye keenly realized that this was likely a carefully designed trap—no matter how Jiang Jing resolved it, she might fall right into the other party's hands.

Hanxing Group was like a bottomless pit, but if Jiang Jing chose to ignore it, once the workers went to the provincial capital to petition, Zhou Chengwu would ultimately have to step in to handle it.

This crisis was testing Jiang Jing's methods and wisdom in handling problems.

As Jiang Jing's Secretary, this matter was also something he could not shirk.

After everyone finished expressing their opinions, Jiang Jing finally spoke, her tone firm.

"I emphasize four points.

First, immediately elect representatives among the workers and hold a symposium in the afternoon to fully understand their true thoughts and demands;

Second, release the workers detained yesterday immediately; the group's Party Committee and Trade Union must earnestly fulfill their duties and do a good job of positive guidance and publicity; under no circumstances should the conflict be further intensified;

Third, relevant departments must coordinate their efforts to resolve the wage issue as soon as possible; every department must bear its corresponding responsibility, especially the Finance Department—no shirking is allowed at this critical moment;

Fourth, the West City District must formulate response plans in advance, allocate manpower and resources, strictly prevent anyone from taking the opportunity to stir up trouble, and ensure social stability."

These words sounded like nothing but empty rhetoric at first, and the department heads present were all unimpressed.

"Everyone, take action immediately now. After the symposium ends, you must produce a concrete plan."

A trace of coldness flashed in Cao Zhengchun's eyes.

A plan is easy to write, but where will the money come from?

The six months' wages for several thousand workers would require at least fifty or sixty million.

Even if a knife were held to his neck, he could not produce this sum of money.

When leaving Hanxing Group, Jiang Jing's expression was terrifyingly gloomy.

It was clear she felt a massive headache over this thorny matter.

Guo Yi tried to persuade her to stay for lunch, but was coldly refused.

After seeing Jiang Jing off, Guo Yi returned to his office and called for the Deputy General Manager.

"A symposium is to be held this afternoon. According to Jiang Jing's requirements, we need to arrange a few worker representatives; you must quickly screen a few people who meet the criteria."

The Deputy General Manager asked cautiously, "Should we find Ding and the others? These people have participated in similar meetings and have sufficient experience."

Guo Yi was thoughtful, "Jiang Jing is a smart person; if we use old actors, I'm afraid we won't be able to fool her. You pick two people from the representatives of the rioting workers and promise them that if they are willing to cooperate with us, we can prioritize helping them solve their problems."

The Deputy General Manager's eyes lit up, "Chairman, you are brilliant! This way we can complete the task and also sow discord among them. We can kill two birds with one stone."

Guo Yi smiled faintly, "Go and arrange it quickly. The main thing is to let this storm pass as soon as possible."

The Deputy General Manager happily accepted the order and left.

Guo Yi stroked his chin, a profound look appearing in his eyes.

Having been in Han Star for so many years, he had encountered many storms.

This time!

It was merely a little wind and frost!

"General Manager Guo, the evening is arranged. That pair of sisters from last time, they will attend the gathering tonight."

"Those two little girls have a kind of madness in them."

"I obtained some Northeast tiger bone and soaked a jar of fine wine; it strengthens the body and has remarkable effects."

Guo Yi nodded, "I will have a taste when the time comes to see if you are bragging!"