Hi folks,
Just seem to be getting more updates on this through the mail,so am posting them here for completeness.
I've seen on another forum that the dispute may not be over yet,as all that ALPA-S has agreed to is to take the "proposal" back to the general membership for a vote.
The latest email received on this matter seems to partially answer the question that I posed earlier. Please see below:
Cheers
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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../16991/1/.html
24 August 2002 1310 hrs (SST) 0510 hrs (GMT)
SIA and pilots dispute could have been avoided
By Asha Popatlal
The recent dispute between Singapore Airlines and its pilots is a lesson on how better relations between management and labour could have helped avoid a face off at the negotiating table.
This was the view of Minister of State for Manpower Ng Eng Hen.
On Friday, both SIA and ALPA-S, the association representing the pilots, came to a compromise over the conditions of in-flight rest breaks for pilots.
The deal followed the 6th round of talks brokered by the Manpower Ministry.
If the compromise had not been reached, the SIA pilots would have had to hold a secret ballot on taking up industrial action.
Such a work-to-rule move would have meant costly flight delays and cancellations for SIA passengers.
Dr Ng left no doubt that this would have had a negative impact on Singapore as SIA is a brand name for the country.
While welcoming the compromise reached, he was of the view there were lessons to be learnt from this episode.
"We should get management and union to sit up and realise how, in moving forward when there are changes, we can do this in a more amicable fashion where we don't have to sit across a table and negotiate," he said.
With better communications, Dr Ng said SIA's management could have elicited what he called "buy-in" at an earlier stage for the changes proposed, so the pilots may not have objected to them.
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and:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../17006/1/.html
24 August 2002 1902 hrs (SST) 1102 hrs (GMT)
No victory or defeat for both pilots and SIA: ALPA-S
By S. Ramesh
The Airline Pilots Association of Singapore has said there is no element of victory or defeat in the compromise reached with Singapore Airlines on Friday.
Captain Francis John, Vice-President (Industrial Affairs) of ALPA-S, said both sides made concessions, with the pilots taking a reasonable stand, as there was pressure from the Manpower Ministry for them to do so.
After six rounds of talks mediated by the Manpower Ministry, both sides came to an agreement late on Friday night.
Capt John added: "Looking at the greater good, looking at the business environment, looking at the benefits for the airline and Singapore in toto, we thought it was best and prudent that we meet each other half way.
"The company appears to have gotten away with a victory but I don't think that's the position we should take.
"
The company must not forget to treat the pilots with dignity and respect. It is not in our interest to lower the esteem of the company or muddy the good name."
So instead of reserving two business class seats for the pilots to take their breaks on long-haul flights, SIA will reserve only one seat known as 'space bed' and two economy class seats.
This will free up one seat for SIA to sell to paying passengers.
ALPA-S has argued that safety would be compromised if pilots are to take their breaks in the economy class.
So what does Friday's agreement mean?
Capt John said: "There is a certain amount of reduction, but is it
compromised? The answer is no. There is still several levels of safety built in already but this is the minimum we think is acceptable and we won't be willing to compromise from here on."
Now it is up to the pilots to accept the compromise at an extra-ordinary general meeting to be called.
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