Hello,
In the mail this evening came this report...with a tongue in cheek comment: " Looks like another matter for MOM to rule on.The situation here is comparable to our kids quarrelling,with one running to mom for a resolution ! Hope that DAD does'nt get called in too ! :>P "
Have a pleasant evening
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http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/top...92929,00.html?
5 June 2003
Pilots' dispute: SIA asks ministry to help
Management turns to mediation a day after wage-cut talks stall; pilots' union hopes third party can offer 'new insights'
By Rebecca Lee
SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) yesterday asked the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to step in and mediate in its dispute with pilots over proposed wage cuts.
" THE TALKS: Sticking points
SIA wants the pilots to take a permanent wage cut of between 15 per cent and 22.5 per cent, and between 10 and 12 days of unpaid leave every two months, as part of cost-cutting measures following the Sars outbreak. Alpa-S, which represents 1,600 pilots, has counter-proposed that the pilots take one week of unpaid leave every month. It also said it would not accept a permanent wage cut and wants the company to separate the immediate task of stemming losses from the longer-term issue of wage restructuring. "
The request signals that talks have broken down and places negotiations one step away from arbitration.
SIA said the Air Line Pilots Association Singapore (Alpa-S), had been told of the request, which comes a day after talks with the union stalled.
'The company hopes that the issues can be resolved quickly through conciliation,' the airline said.
Alpa-S spokesman P. James told The Straits Times that the union was agreeable to having the MOM sit in on talks, which have been scheduled for Friday afternoon.
'We are fine with it and hopefully with a third party looking at the issues, we may see some new insights,' Captain James said.
This will be the second time in 10 months that the MOM has stepped in to resolve a dispute between SIA and its pilots who, in August last year, were planning to take industrial action when asked to take meal and rest breaks in economy-class seats instead of business class.
This time, SIA wants the pilots to take a permanent wage cut of between 15 per cent and 22.5 per cent, and 10 to 12 days of unpaid leave every two months, as part of cost-cutting measures following the Sars outbreak.
Alpa-S, which represents 1,600 pilots, counter-proposed at Tuesday's talks that the pilots take one week of unpaid leave every month.
That, it said, would achieve SIA's desired 25 per cent cost reduction straight away.
The union also said it would not accept a permanent wage cut and wants the company to separate the immediate task of stemming losses from the longer-term issue of wage restructuring.
SIA, which lost $204 million in April and is expected to make a
first-quarter loss, also said yesterday that negotiations with the other four staff unions in the group 'on wage cuts and other cost-saving measures are progressing'.
It wants non-management staff to take a 15 per cent permanent wage cut.
The group's managerial staff took pay cuts of between 22.5 per cent 27.5 per cent from this month.