Todayonline, Singapore, 26.02.04
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/15028.asp
The SIA row and the case for trust and tripartism
Clement Mesenas
[email protected]
Not so long ago, virtually every holidaymaker would say that Singapore Airlines was their carrier of choice. And those who had yet to experience being pampered by an ever-affable Singapore Girl would say they hoped to travel Singapore Airlines, the next time they booked a flight. Such was the reputation of Singapore Airlines, whose acronym SIA was synonymous with Success in the Air.
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But in the last few years, the famous smile of the Singapore Girl began to look frayed at the edges, or so it appeared to regular passengers. Like the Mona Lisa, did she have a secret that we did not know of? Could it be that the Singapore Girl was not much different from the rest of us lesser mortals – overworked, underpaid souls running full tilt just to keep up with the rest. The only difference, perhaps, was she had to keep smiling, we did not.
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Still, the row that erupted between the airline and its pilots was something that surprised many. Yet, it was not something that happened out of the blue but had been simmering for years. Industry insiders confirm what many of us are beginning to suspect — that SIA was a company that was very good at burnishing its public image.
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The airline made lots of money, like so many other companies in Singapore, "growing on the back of a sound and robust economy" as Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew put it. But sadly, like some big companies, behind the gloss, the airline did not quite come up to the mark when managing relations with its workers.
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The twin blows of the Sept 11 attacks and Sars took their toll of many companies. SIA was no exception. It faced the decline in business by cutting costs along with other measures but little did it expect the groundswell of anger and resistance from its pilots.
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The relationship between Alpa-S, the pilots association, and the airline had never been smooth, with disputes going back all of 25 years. Pilots believe, quite rightly, that they took the airline to the pinnacle of success and are hence worth every cent that they are paid.
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Perhaps, that could be the reason why Alpa-S did not see the need for affiliation with the National Trades Union Congress as did the airline's other four unions. Alpa-S perhaps believed it did not need the powerful bargaining power of the NTUC.
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It erred. The principle of tripartite cooperation — long established in Singapore and responsible for the smooth working relationship between workers, management and the Government — has been the cornerstone on which the economic miracle of Singapore was established.
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With tripartism, the days of militant confrontation between union and company have long become a thing of the turbulent past. SM Lee, himself a union adviser in pre-NTUC days, was alarmed at the way Alpa-S was prepared to go down that road of militant confrontation with perhaps tragic, counterproductive consequences.
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He was not prepared to allow Alpa-S to play the game of brinkmanship that characterised union-management relations of the past. Not when it might bring down SIA and diminish Changi International Airport's money-spinning hub status.
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His intervention will hopefully cauterise the festering boil of dismal relations between SIA and Alpa-S. That hope is underscored with new management officials at the helm of SIA and newly elected, more amenable Alpa-S leaders.
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The entry of NTUC labour chief Lim Boon Heng into the fracas could prove to be the turning point. He has revealed that three of the four NTUC-affiliated SIA unions had also complained of low staff morale, a problem that had worsened in recent years.
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According to the unions, SIA was no longer the company where a family spirit prevailed. The atmosphere today was one ruled by "accountability" and a culture of fear. At any time, one feared one could lose one's job and who wants that to happen these days, when there are mounting bills to be paid every month and when tens of thousands are out on the streets looking for work.
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But many staff have decided to quit, say union chiefs. They will do so after collecting the bonus payment.
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In their feedback, union leaders accused SIA management of, among other things, using bullying, divide-and-rule tactics in its dealings with them and practising double standards.
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SM Lee has said he does not consider either the management or the pilots blameless but they would have to break with the past and move forward.
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So, how will the long-drawn drama play itself out?
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Mr Lim has spelt out the NTUC's approach to good industrial relations: Fair play and mutual trust.
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While pointing out that the NTUC does not seek gains for workers by confrontation, Mr Lim stressed that a company ultimately must exist to benefit the community, not its shareholders.
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Most workers will rejoice in this rather egalitarian outlook but whether company bosses will take kindly to this philosophy is left to be seen.
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The trick is to reach a consensus and in this the NTUC has over the years shown that it can negotiate with the toughest and most recalcitrant of bosses.
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SIA has said it would make its position clear in due course. With all the dirty linen being hung out to dry on SIA's less than exemplary dealings with its unions, if what has been said is really true, one would expect that red-faced company officials of Singapore's premier company will not be wasting any more time to set things right.
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Better relations should translate into all employees making a concerted effort to take on the challenges faced by the industry.
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Enough said. What's crucial now is for both sides to move on and find a way to talk to each other as equal partners. Only then can trust develop.