Lee
30th Nov 2003, 21:56
Sunday November 30, 10:15 PM
Government to amend Trade Unions Act in a move against SIA pilots' union
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SINGAPORE : After several warnings by government ministers to the Singapore Airlines pilots' union, the government has taken the first step to what it says is "prevent another cycle of acrimony between management and the pilots' union".
It announced in a statement that it will amend the Trade Unions Act.
The recent ouster of the leadership of the Airline Pilots Association of Singapore (ALPA-S), the pilots' union, led three government ministers to warn the pilots not to embark on 'confrontational industrial relations' or 'take on the government'.
Now the government has announced it will amend the Trade Unions Act, which is likely to take several months.
The amendment will allow executive committees of trade unions to negotiate and commit to collective agreements, without having to go back to its members for approval.
ALPA-S is the only trade union in Singapore where members have to approve agreements struck by its executive committee.
The government noted that ALPA-S and SIA management have had a troubled relationship.
Protracted negotiations often result in deadlock.
Between 1980 and this year, 25 disputes between them had to go before the Ministry of Manpower for conciliation.
This year, SIA management had negotiated with the pilots' union as SARS hit the travel industry.
The Manpower Ministry and the Industrial Arbitration Court had to be called in to help settle the wage-cut package.
But after it was agreed, 55 percent of ALPA-S members voted out the negotiating team.
The Manpower Ministry also announced a move to rescind approval for two non-Singaporean members now on the executive committee of ALPA-S.
In other words, they will be kicked out of the executive committee.
The government emphasised that both SIA management and the pilots must put the past behind them and start anew.
It said SIA must improve its human resource management, so that the emphasis is not entirely on the pilots. Management has to pay competitive wages and incentivise staff as well.
The government statement stressed that aviation is a key industry.
SARS, terrorism, low-cost airlines and other developments challenge Singapore's status as a premier air hub.
It added confrontational industrial relations will add to the problems of SIA and so put jobs at risk.
It ended by saying it will not allow any group to undermine good industrial relations based on the partnership between unions, management and the Government. - CNA
Government to amend Trade Unions Act in a move against SIA pilots' union
ADVERTISEMENT
SINGAPORE : After several warnings by government ministers to the Singapore Airlines pilots' union, the government has taken the first step to what it says is "prevent another cycle of acrimony between management and the pilots' union".
It announced in a statement that it will amend the Trade Unions Act.
The recent ouster of the leadership of the Airline Pilots Association of Singapore (ALPA-S), the pilots' union, led three government ministers to warn the pilots not to embark on 'confrontational industrial relations' or 'take on the government'.
Now the government has announced it will amend the Trade Unions Act, which is likely to take several months.
The amendment will allow executive committees of trade unions to negotiate and commit to collective agreements, without having to go back to its members for approval.
ALPA-S is the only trade union in Singapore where members have to approve agreements struck by its executive committee.
The government noted that ALPA-S and SIA management have had a troubled relationship.
Protracted negotiations often result in deadlock.
Between 1980 and this year, 25 disputes between them had to go before the Ministry of Manpower for conciliation.
This year, SIA management had negotiated with the pilots' union as SARS hit the travel industry.
The Manpower Ministry and the Industrial Arbitration Court had to be called in to help settle the wage-cut package.
But after it was agreed, 55 percent of ALPA-S members voted out the negotiating team.
The Manpower Ministry also announced a move to rescind approval for two non-Singaporean members now on the executive committee of ALPA-S.
In other words, they will be kicked out of the executive committee.
The government emphasised that both SIA management and the pilots must put the past behind them and start anew.
It said SIA must improve its human resource management, so that the emphasis is not entirely on the pilots. Management has to pay competitive wages and incentivise staff as well.
The government statement stressed that aviation is a key industry.
SARS, terrorism, low-cost airlines and other developments challenge Singapore's status as a premier air hub.
It added confrontational industrial relations will add to the problems of SIA and so put jobs at risk.
It ended by saying it will not allow any group to undermine good industrial relations based on the partnership between unions, management and the Government. - CNA