SQ pilots under political pressure (merged)
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What can you do when the other side scores a goal? Move the goal posts!
As a side-effect, 2 non-Singaporeans in ALPA-S exco also kicked out by the government. Hmm, wonder who they are and if they had anything to do with all this "acrimony"...
Government to amend Trade Unions Act in a move against SIA pilots' union
30 November 2003 2014 hrs (SST)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../59765/1/.html
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
As a side-effect, 2 non-Singaporeans in ALPA-S exco also kicked out by the government. Hmm, wonder who they are and if they had anything to do with all this "acrimony"...
Government to amend Trade Unions Act in a move against SIA pilots' union
30 November 2003 2014 hrs (SST)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../59765/1/.html
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
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Get the continuous story here, earlier, instead of having to go back to the Far East main page and jump from topic to topic...
Sacking of ALPA-S executive committee has far-reaching implications: NTUC
30 November 2003 2033 hrs (SST)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../59767/1/.html
SINGAPORE : The National Trades Union Congress has said it views the sacking of the executive committee of the Airline Pilots Association of Singapore (ALPA-S) with much concern as it has far-reaching implications.
In a statement, it said the sacking of the committee must mean that the pilots want future councils to take disputes beyond compromise and arbitration.
The NTUC said this in response to a government's move to amend the Trade Unions Act.
The executive committee was sacked even though it had agreed on a package with management and even though union members agreed to the package at a general meeting.
It adds that an uncompromising attitude by one union within Singapore Airlines will set a tougher tone for future negotiations within the company.
SIA has other unions representing cabin crew, technicians, and engineers.
NTUC said it supported the Government's call for SIA management to take the lead in forging a common understanding and improving communication with its employees. - CNA
ALPA-S surprised with Government's move to amend Trade Unions Act
30 November 2003 2337 hrs (SST)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../59782/1/.html
SINGAPORE : A member of the Airline Pilots Association of Singapore's (ALPA-S) Executive Committee said he was surprised the government had resorted to amending the Trade Unions Act.
Captain P. James, Vice President of Industrial Relations, said ALPA-S members would be unhappy because the move will remove one of their rights.
He disagreed that the pilots' union has been confrontational by sacking its leadership.
"This is just a normal democratic process that we have had, and we have had it for so many years and it has served us well, even in the past collective agreements. I am quite surprised that they have to resort to changing the act," he said.
Captain James said it would be better off having individual contracts, where each individual can then sign his own contract and take the issue to a contract court instead of the Industrial Abitration Court.
"I'm sure the government has good reasons for that since it's not just Singapore Airlines that you're talking about but the whole economy," he said.
Captain James said ALPA-S was not confrontational.
He said it was just an internal constitutional process which was followed and initiated to change the leadership.
"At the end of the day, if the agreement is not reached both parties can avail themselves of the Industrial Abitration court for a settlement, so that is due process that is provided for," he said.
"We want the company to do not just well, but very well. Our very own survival as an individual as well as a country depends on that," he added.
Captain James said SIA should treat its employees as partners in this process, and not just something with a price tag that can be replaced. - CNA
Sacking of ALPA-S executive committee has far-reaching implications: NTUC
30 November 2003 2033 hrs (SST)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../59767/1/.html
SINGAPORE : The National Trades Union Congress has said it views the sacking of the executive committee of the Airline Pilots Association of Singapore (ALPA-S) with much concern as it has far-reaching implications.
In a statement, it said the sacking of the committee must mean that the pilots want future councils to take disputes beyond compromise and arbitration.
The NTUC said this in response to a government's move to amend the Trade Unions Act.
The executive committee was sacked even though it had agreed on a package with management and even though union members agreed to the package at a general meeting.
It adds that an uncompromising attitude by one union within Singapore Airlines will set a tougher tone for future negotiations within the company.
SIA has other unions representing cabin crew, technicians, and engineers.
NTUC said it supported the Government's call for SIA management to take the lead in forging a common understanding and improving communication with its employees. - CNA
ALPA-S surprised with Government's move to amend Trade Unions Act
30 November 2003 2337 hrs (SST)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../59782/1/.html
SINGAPORE : A member of the Airline Pilots Association of Singapore's (ALPA-S) Executive Committee said he was surprised the government had resorted to amending the Trade Unions Act.
Captain P. James, Vice President of Industrial Relations, said ALPA-S members would be unhappy because the move will remove one of their rights.
He disagreed that the pilots' union has been confrontational by sacking its leadership.
"This is just a normal democratic process that we have had, and we have had it for so many years and it has served us well, even in the past collective agreements. I am quite surprised that they have to resort to changing the act," he said.
Captain James said it would be better off having individual contracts, where each individual can then sign his own contract and take the issue to a contract court instead of the Industrial Abitration Court.
"I'm sure the government has good reasons for that since it's not just Singapore Airlines that you're talking about but the whole economy," he said.
Captain James said ALPA-S was not confrontational.
He said it was just an internal constitutional process which was followed and initiated to change the leadership.
"At the end of the day, if the agreement is not reached both parties can avail themselves of the Industrial Abitration court for a settlement, so that is due process that is provided for," he said.
"We want the company to do not just well, but very well. Our very own survival as an individual as well as a country depends on that," he added.
Captain James said SIA should treat its employees as partners in this process, and not just something with a price tag that can be replaced. - CNA
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Six - yes SIX articles on ALPA-S and SIA today!
Move the goalposts and also ban a certain troublemaker from union activities...How now, Chrome Dome?
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...22837,00.html?
The Straits Times
DEC 1, 2003
Two foreigners will have to leave union committee
THE two foreigners who can no longer sit on the executive committee of the Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore (Alpa-S) are Malaysian citizens with permanent-resident status in Singapore.
They were not named by the statement from the Prime Minister's Office, but a Straits Times check found that they are Captain Ryan Goh and Captain Lee Chee Kun. They are expected to be told of the Government move today.
Captain Goh, who has been flying for more than 25 years, has been a member of Alpa-S since it was formed in 1981 and was its vice-president for industrial relations at one point.
He is a council member in the current 22-member executive committee, which was ousted in a vote of no-confidence by members at an extraordinary general meeting on Nov 17. Pilot sources said he had helped draft the petition calling for the meeting, although he did not sign it.
When contacted, Captain Goh declined to comment, saying he has not been told about the Government's move. However he added: 'If the Government says now they want to impose certain restrictions, then it's not my call, it's the Government's call.'
Captain Lee, who has been flying for 16 years, has been an Alpa-S member since 1987, but has served on the committee for only the last two years. The father of two is a committee member in charge of public affairs and runs the union's charity projects.
He was nonchalant when The Straits Times broke the news to him. 'These things are not important to me. If you're there to serve, you can just be a good member and do other things outside the exco,' he said.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...22873,00.html?
The Straits Times
DEC 1, 2003
SIA pilots: Law to be tightened
Changes will mean leaders of pilots' union won't need to get members' approval for agreements, a right now unique to Alpa-S
By Rebecca Lee
TRANSPORT REPORTER
THE Government yesterday hardened its stand on Singapore Airlines (SIA) pilots, saying it will tighten the law to remove union members' right to have the final say in any negotiations with management.
This right, unique to the Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore (Alpa-S), requires its elected leaders to get the approval of members before it can conclude any collective agreement or settle a dispute with the national carrier.
In all other unions in Singapore, the elected leaders have the power to bargain and make a deal with a company's management which is binding on their members.
To remove the right, the Trade Union Act will be amended, said a statement from the Prime Minister's Office that arose following discussions in the Cabinet, and several warnings by Ministers in the past fortnight about the pilots' adversarial approach in booting out their union leaders.
The Government's latest move to end the existing arrangement suggests that it was a major cause of the often rocky relations between Alpa-S and SIA management as negotiations were drawn out and often ended in deadlock.
Since 1980, at least 20 disputes have driven a wedge between them. In the last dispute over wage cuts, the need to consult members is said to have slowed down negotiations, although the final deal was approved by members.
But SIA's management is not blameless in the repeated episodes of protracted negotiations. In chiding it, the Government said: 'SIA must improve its human-resource management... SIA will have to pay competitive wages to retain the services of its good staff and gain the loyalty of its pilots and other staff.'
In a further signal that it will do all it must to prevent another cycle of acrimony, the Government also took away the right of two non-Singapore citizens to sit on the Alpa-S executive committee.
The statement did not say why the Manpower Ministry is rescinding its approval, which non-Singaporeans must get before they can become union leaders.
Internal politics and simmering discontent in the way wage deals were cut are said to have led Alpa-S members to oust their leaders.
This prompted Acting Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen, labour chief Lim Boon Heng and Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to warn the pilots that they will not allow any standoff to threaten Singapore's aviation industry.
The statement pointed out that the industry creates jobs and economic growth.
Already, $3.9 billion has been invested in Changi Airport, with another $2.6 billion planned. It provides jobs for 90,000 workers, while SIA employs 12,000, of whom 1,700 are pilots and 6,400 cabin crew.
The travel industry was almost routed by Sars and terrorism and, more recently, Singapore's status as an air hub has been threatened by low-cost airlines and newer, longer-range aircraft as well as neighbouring airports.
Against such a backdrop, 'we cannot allow confrontational industrial relations to add to the problems of SIA, Changi Airport and our travel industry. It will put jobs and Singapore's economy at risk,' said the statement.
The National Trades Union Congress last night said it supported the Government's call for management to take the lead in promoting 'common understanding and improving communications' with employees, and hoped SIA and Alpa-S could put the current episode behind them and work together.
When contacted, Alpa-S spokesman Captain P. James said he was surprised that the Act was being amended.
'This clause was actually a safeguard put in place after the industrial action in 1980 to ensure that excos cannot commence industrial action without consulting members or accept any packages that are detrimental to members.'
The Straits Times
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...22907,00.html?
DEC 1, 2003
Govt: We cannot afford such acrimony
As controversy brewed over recent moves by Singapore Airlines pilots, the Government yesterday spelt out its position on the issue and steps it was taking as a result. On Friday, Acting Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen warned that the Government has to protect the culture of tripartism. While he did not mention the pilots explicitly, his message was clear: Their confrontational approach could spread like a fire to other unions. Speaking at the annual dinner of the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers' Union, he praised its leaders for setting the right example for others. We reproduce the Government's statement and Dr Ng's speech.
THE Cabinet has discussed the state of industrial relations in Singapore and in particular the impact of recent developments in the Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore (Alpa-S) union on the aviation industry and other unions.
Aviation is a key industry creating jobs and economic growth. Considerable investments have been made to build up our air hub status and the air travel sector: $3.9 billion on Changi Airport, and an additional $2.6 billion planned for current projects.
Changi Airport provides jobs for 35,000 permanent workers, and 55,000 contract or temporary workers. SIA employs 12,000 staff; of which about 1,700 are pilots (1,000 local, 400 Permanent Resident and 300 foreign) and 6,400 are cabin crew.
Our economy, especially the travel sector, had been under severe stress from terrorism and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars).
These threats still exist. Further, low cost airlines, newer airplanes with longer flight capabilities and other airports in neighbouring countries will challenge SIA and Changi Airport's position as a premier air hub.
We cannot allow confrontational industrial relations to add to the problems of SIA, Changi Airport and our travel industry. It will put jobs and Singapore's economy at risk.
The relationship between SIA management and their pilots' union has been troubled. They have had repeated episodes of protracted negotiations, many resulting in deadlock.
The latest settlement could be reached only after mediation by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Industrial Arbitration Court.
Even after agreeing to this settlement, 55 per cent of members subsequently voted out the negotiating team. We cannot afford a continuation of these dysfunctional relations marked by confrontations and stand-offs.
To prevent another such cycle of acrimony, MOM will amend the Trade Unions Act to ensure that the rules of registered trade unions enable executive committees to negotiate and commit to collective agreements without the need for formal ratification by the general membership or the branches.
This practice of obtaining ratification from the general membership is unique to Alpa-S' constitution. MOM will also rescind approval for the two non-citizens currently on the Executive Committee of Alpa-S.
These changes of themselves will not produce good industrial relations. For this to happen, SIA management and pilots must put the past behind them and start anew.
They must break away from their old attitudes and move towards consensus and cooperation. SIA must improve its human resource management.
Management must forge a common understanding with its employees on the way ahead and explain its plans to grow the company.
SIA will have to pay competitive wages to retain the services of their good staff and gain the loyalty of its pilots and other staff.
Employees will be incentivised to be active partners of change if they can share in the rewards when the company performs well. Such changes will raise morale and increase cooperation.
MOM will help SIA and its unions, including Alpa-S, to achieve flexible and responsive wage systems that adequately reward and motivate good performers.
Our harmonious industrial climate based on tripartite partnership is a key pillar for our economic and social progress. It has enabled us to make necessary changes, like painful wage and CPF cuts, to move our economy forward.
The Government will not allow any group to undermine this vital factor in securing good jobs and economic growth for our people.
The Straits Times
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...22881,00.html?
DEC 1, 2003
Unions are like 'passengers on the same ship'
THIS year has been an unprecedented one. As union leaders in the thick of action, many of you can relate to the difficult challenges your industry had to face.
Business activity in the tourism and hotel industry plunged after Sars struck Singapore in late March. I was told that from April to September this year, 11,019 Food Drinks and Allied Workers' Union (FDAWU) members from 58 unionised hotel branches took a cumulative total of 101,384.5 days of unpaid leave to help hotels solve their cash-flow problems.
If we estimate the average daily wage cost at $50, this sacrifice of union members amounted to $5 million in savings for their employers. Therefore, I salute the contributions and sacrifices made by FDAWU members during the Sars crisis to help the hotels save jobs.
It is in times of crisis that character shows. I think that the difficult Sars experience has helped the union reach greater heights.
The specific actions taken and sacrifices you made are commendable, but the most important point is that this union understood that the tripartite relationship based on cooperation, trust and give- and-take must be preserved.
Many of you have met unionists from other countries that visit Singapore. Many of you have told me that, often, they cannot understand why our labour conditions are so harmonious.
They marvel at the way we stay nimble. They are envious when they see how quickly we can adjust wages to reduce job losses.
How we have achieved this relationship is not to be found in the written rules of your union constitution or the Trade Union Act or Industrial Relations Act.
The spirit of Singapore tripartism is unique and is inscribed onto our hearts and shows in the attitude we choose in dealing with one another.
It would have been easy for members to insist on their rights and make more demands. You, too, have mouths to feed and bills to pay. It would have been easy and populist for your union leaders to dig in and get the best deal possible at every round of negotiations.
It would have been understandable for you to resist the temporary layoffs and unpaid leave. Even now, some of you may blame your leaders for giving in too easily. Worse still, a union can boot out its leaders and pass a resolution to demand fresh elections so that a new, tougher, more confrontational Exco can lead the next collective bargaining.
But if one union did that, how would other unions respond? Their members, too, have mouths to feed and bills to pay.
Unions in Singapore are not like houses on different streets. We are more like co-passengers on the same ship or families living under the same roof, in the same compound.
How one union behaves will affect other unions and, ultimately, all of us. If a fire is not put out in one cabin, the whole ship is at risk. No one should doubt this Government's resolve in wanting to maintain and preserve our industrial peace.
Your union's actions serve as an example of how responsible unions can achieve better long-term outcomes for its members by working within our tripartite framework. But employers must do their part and, indeed, should shoulder the greater burden.
Employers must communicate their plans and reward their workers for good performances when the company does well.
They must recognise the sacrifices that employees have made to the continued success of their companies.
If management is perceived to be taking advantage of their employees, or being uncaring about their workers, morale will be low. This, ultimately, hurts the company.
While our economic recovery is gaining ground, no one should be over-confident to think that we will not suffer a setback as a result of terrorism or a recurrence of Sars.
One quarter of good economic results does not mean that our troubles are over. There is still much to do together to get our economy going and help solve unemployment.
My ministry set up the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) in September. One of the immediate tasks of WDA is to help Singaporeans find jobs in the hotel sector.
Officers from WDA and Spring Singapore are helping hotel management to redesign jobs, making them attractive for Singaporeans to take on hotel jobs.
In this area, the good rapport and trust established over the years between FDAWU and employers in the hotel industry can be maximised to achieve successes in job redesign and creating job opportunities for more Singaporeans.
The Straits Times
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...22866,00.html?
DEC 1, 2003
Pay well and gain staff loyalty, Govt urges SIA
THE Government was even-handed in its comments on the state of industrial relations within Singapore Airlines, targeting not just the pilots' union, but also the airline's management.
The statement from the Prime Minister's Office last night made the point that SIA must improve its human resource management. It said that besides explaining its plans to its staff and forging a common understanding with them, the airline will have to pay competitive wages and gain employee loyalty.
Employees will have the incentive to be active partners of change if they can share in rewards when the company performs well, the Government said, adding that this will 'raise morale and increase cooperation'.
The statement, which was also critical of the 'troubled' relationship between SIA's management and its pilots' union, said the Manpower Ministry will help SIA and its unions in developing wage systems to reward good performers.
SIA could not give its response to the Government's statement by press time.
For almost 25 years, the relationship between SIA's management and union has been stormy, with at least 20 disputes escalating beyond the two parties and requiring mediation from the ministry or, at the highest level, the Industrial Arbitration Court.
In a fracas last year, when the management proposed that the pilots rest in economy-class seats instead of business class, the union accused management of making a 'unilateral' decision which altered the terms of their collective agreement.
An SIA pilot, who asked not to be named, agreed that both sides have been fighting 'for decades' as the pilots are constantly unhappy with management decisions.
'The management definitely has to improve. It has no choice, especially since morale right now is rock-bottom, what with the pay cuts and retrenchments,' he said.
He said some of his colleagues were leaving SIA to join other airlines which offered better salaries. -- Wong Sher Maine
Move the goalposts and also ban a certain troublemaker from union activities...How now, Chrome Dome?
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...22837,00.html?
The Straits Times
DEC 1, 2003
Two foreigners will have to leave union committee
THE two foreigners who can no longer sit on the executive committee of the Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore (Alpa-S) are Malaysian citizens with permanent-resident status in Singapore.
They were not named by the statement from the Prime Minister's Office, but a Straits Times check found that they are Captain Ryan Goh and Captain Lee Chee Kun. They are expected to be told of the Government move today.
Captain Goh, who has been flying for more than 25 years, has been a member of Alpa-S since it was formed in 1981 and was its vice-president for industrial relations at one point.
He is a council member in the current 22-member executive committee, which was ousted in a vote of no-confidence by members at an extraordinary general meeting on Nov 17. Pilot sources said he had helped draft the petition calling for the meeting, although he did not sign it.
When contacted, Captain Goh declined to comment, saying he has not been told about the Government's move. However he added: 'If the Government says now they want to impose certain restrictions, then it's not my call, it's the Government's call.'
Captain Lee, who has been flying for 16 years, has been an Alpa-S member since 1987, but has served on the committee for only the last two years. The father of two is a committee member in charge of public affairs and runs the union's charity projects.
He was nonchalant when The Straits Times broke the news to him. 'These things are not important to me. If you're there to serve, you can just be a good member and do other things outside the exco,' he said.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...22873,00.html?
The Straits Times
DEC 1, 2003
SIA pilots: Law to be tightened
Changes will mean leaders of pilots' union won't need to get members' approval for agreements, a right now unique to Alpa-S
By Rebecca Lee
TRANSPORT REPORTER
THE Government yesterday hardened its stand on Singapore Airlines (SIA) pilots, saying it will tighten the law to remove union members' right to have the final say in any negotiations with management.
This right, unique to the Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore (Alpa-S), requires its elected leaders to get the approval of members before it can conclude any collective agreement or settle a dispute with the national carrier.
In all other unions in Singapore, the elected leaders have the power to bargain and make a deal with a company's management which is binding on their members.
To remove the right, the Trade Union Act will be amended, said a statement from the Prime Minister's Office that arose following discussions in the Cabinet, and several warnings by Ministers in the past fortnight about the pilots' adversarial approach in booting out their union leaders.
The Government's latest move to end the existing arrangement suggests that it was a major cause of the often rocky relations between Alpa-S and SIA management as negotiations were drawn out and often ended in deadlock.
Since 1980, at least 20 disputes have driven a wedge between them. In the last dispute over wage cuts, the need to consult members is said to have slowed down negotiations, although the final deal was approved by members.
But SIA's management is not blameless in the repeated episodes of protracted negotiations. In chiding it, the Government said: 'SIA must improve its human-resource management... SIA will have to pay competitive wages to retain the services of its good staff and gain the loyalty of its pilots and other staff.'
In a further signal that it will do all it must to prevent another cycle of acrimony, the Government also took away the right of two non-Singapore citizens to sit on the Alpa-S executive committee.
The statement did not say why the Manpower Ministry is rescinding its approval, which non-Singaporeans must get before they can become union leaders.
Internal politics and simmering discontent in the way wage deals were cut are said to have led Alpa-S members to oust their leaders.
This prompted Acting Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen, labour chief Lim Boon Heng and Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to warn the pilots that they will not allow any standoff to threaten Singapore's aviation industry.
The statement pointed out that the industry creates jobs and economic growth.
Already, $3.9 billion has been invested in Changi Airport, with another $2.6 billion planned. It provides jobs for 90,000 workers, while SIA employs 12,000, of whom 1,700 are pilots and 6,400 cabin crew.
The travel industry was almost routed by Sars and terrorism and, more recently, Singapore's status as an air hub has been threatened by low-cost airlines and newer, longer-range aircraft as well as neighbouring airports.
Against such a backdrop, 'we cannot allow confrontational industrial relations to add to the problems of SIA, Changi Airport and our travel industry. It will put jobs and Singapore's economy at risk,' said the statement.
The National Trades Union Congress last night said it supported the Government's call for management to take the lead in promoting 'common understanding and improving communications' with employees, and hoped SIA and Alpa-S could put the current episode behind them and work together.
When contacted, Alpa-S spokesman Captain P. James said he was surprised that the Act was being amended.
'This clause was actually a safeguard put in place after the industrial action in 1980 to ensure that excos cannot commence industrial action without consulting members or accept any packages that are detrimental to members.'
The Straits Times
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...22907,00.html?
DEC 1, 2003
Govt: We cannot afford such acrimony
As controversy brewed over recent moves by Singapore Airlines pilots, the Government yesterday spelt out its position on the issue and steps it was taking as a result. On Friday, Acting Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen warned that the Government has to protect the culture of tripartism. While he did not mention the pilots explicitly, his message was clear: Their confrontational approach could spread like a fire to other unions. Speaking at the annual dinner of the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers' Union, he praised its leaders for setting the right example for others. We reproduce the Government's statement and Dr Ng's speech.
THE Cabinet has discussed the state of industrial relations in Singapore and in particular the impact of recent developments in the Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore (Alpa-S) union on the aviation industry and other unions.
Aviation is a key industry creating jobs and economic growth. Considerable investments have been made to build up our air hub status and the air travel sector: $3.9 billion on Changi Airport, and an additional $2.6 billion planned for current projects.
Changi Airport provides jobs for 35,000 permanent workers, and 55,000 contract or temporary workers. SIA employs 12,000 staff; of which about 1,700 are pilots (1,000 local, 400 Permanent Resident and 300 foreign) and 6,400 are cabin crew.
Our economy, especially the travel sector, had been under severe stress from terrorism and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars).
These threats still exist. Further, low cost airlines, newer airplanes with longer flight capabilities and other airports in neighbouring countries will challenge SIA and Changi Airport's position as a premier air hub.
We cannot allow confrontational industrial relations to add to the problems of SIA, Changi Airport and our travel industry. It will put jobs and Singapore's economy at risk.
The relationship between SIA management and their pilots' union has been troubled. They have had repeated episodes of protracted negotiations, many resulting in deadlock.
The latest settlement could be reached only after mediation by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Industrial Arbitration Court.
Even after agreeing to this settlement, 55 per cent of members subsequently voted out the negotiating team. We cannot afford a continuation of these dysfunctional relations marked by confrontations and stand-offs.
To prevent another such cycle of acrimony, MOM will amend the Trade Unions Act to ensure that the rules of registered trade unions enable executive committees to negotiate and commit to collective agreements without the need for formal ratification by the general membership or the branches.
This practice of obtaining ratification from the general membership is unique to Alpa-S' constitution. MOM will also rescind approval for the two non-citizens currently on the Executive Committee of Alpa-S.
These changes of themselves will not produce good industrial relations. For this to happen, SIA management and pilots must put the past behind them and start anew.
They must break away from their old attitudes and move towards consensus and cooperation. SIA must improve its human resource management.
Management must forge a common understanding with its employees on the way ahead and explain its plans to grow the company.
SIA will have to pay competitive wages to retain the services of their good staff and gain the loyalty of its pilots and other staff.
Employees will be incentivised to be active partners of change if they can share in the rewards when the company performs well. Such changes will raise morale and increase cooperation.
MOM will help SIA and its unions, including Alpa-S, to achieve flexible and responsive wage systems that adequately reward and motivate good performers.
Our harmonious industrial climate based on tripartite partnership is a key pillar for our economic and social progress. It has enabled us to make necessary changes, like painful wage and CPF cuts, to move our economy forward.
The Government will not allow any group to undermine this vital factor in securing good jobs and economic growth for our people.
The Straits Times
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...22881,00.html?
DEC 1, 2003
Unions are like 'passengers on the same ship'
THIS year has been an unprecedented one. As union leaders in the thick of action, many of you can relate to the difficult challenges your industry had to face.
Business activity in the tourism and hotel industry plunged after Sars struck Singapore in late March. I was told that from April to September this year, 11,019 Food Drinks and Allied Workers' Union (FDAWU) members from 58 unionised hotel branches took a cumulative total of 101,384.5 days of unpaid leave to help hotels solve their cash-flow problems.
If we estimate the average daily wage cost at $50, this sacrifice of union members amounted to $5 million in savings for their employers. Therefore, I salute the contributions and sacrifices made by FDAWU members during the Sars crisis to help the hotels save jobs.
It is in times of crisis that character shows. I think that the difficult Sars experience has helped the union reach greater heights.
The specific actions taken and sacrifices you made are commendable, but the most important point is that this union understood that the tripartite relationship based on cooperation, trust and give- and-take must be preserved.
Many of you have met unionists from other countries that visit Singapore. Many of you have told me that, often, they cannot understand why our labour conditions are so harmonious.
They marvel at the way we stay nimble. They are envious when they see how quickly we can adjust wages to reduce job losses.
How we have achieved this relationship is not to be found in the written rules of your union constitution or the Trade Union Act or Industrial Relations Act.
The spirit of Singapore tripartism is unique and is inscribed onto our hearts and shows in the attitude we choose in dealing with one another.
It would have been easy for members to insist on their rights and make more demands. You, too, have mouths to feed and bills to pay. It would have been easy and populist for your union leaders to dig in and get the best deal possible at every round of negotiations.
It would have been understandable for you to resist the temporary layoffs and unpaid leave. Even now, some of you may blame your leaders for giving in too easily. Worse still, a union can boot out its leaders and pass a resolution to demand fresh elections so that a new, tougher, more confrontational Exco can lead the next collective bargaining.
But if one union did that, how would other unions respond? Their members, too, have mouths to feed and bills to pay.
Unions in Singapore are not like houses on different streets. We are more like co-passengers on the same ship or families living under the same roof, in the same compound.
How one union behaves will affect other unions and, ultimately, all of us. If a fire is not put out in one cabin, the whole ship is at risk. No one should doubt this Government's resolve in wanting to maintain and preserve our industrial peace.
Your union's actions serve as an example of how responsible unions can achieve better long-term outcomes for its members by working within our tripartite framework. But employers must do their part and, indeed, should shoulder the greater burden.
Employers must communicate their plans and reward their workers for good performances when the company does well.
They must recognise the sacrifices that employees have made to the continued success of their companies.
If management is perceived to be taking advantage of their employees, or being uncaring about their workers, morale will be low. This, ultimately, hurts the company.
While our economic recovery is gaining ground, no one should be over-confident to think that we will not suffer a setback as a result of terrorism or a recurrence of Sars.
One quarter of good economic results does not mean that our troubles are over. There is still much to do together to get our economy going and help solve unemployment.
My ministry set up the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) in September. One of the immediate tasks of WDA is to help Singaporeans find jobs in the hotel sector.
Officers from WDA and Spring Singapore are helping hotel management to redesign jobs, making them attractive for Singaporeans to take on hotel jobs.
In this area, the good rapport and trust established over the years between FDAWU and employers in the hotel industry can be maximised to achieve successes in job redesign and creating job opportunities for more Singaporeans.
The Straits Times
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...22866,00.html?
DEC 1, 2003
Pay well and gain staff loyalty, Govt urges SIA
THE Government was even-handed in its comments on the state of industrial relations within Singapore Airlines, targeting not just the pilots' union, but also the airline's management.
The statement from the Prime Minister's Office last night made the point that SIA must improve its human resource management. It said that besides explaining its plans to its staff and forging a common understanding with them, the airline will have to pay competitive wages and gain employee loyalty.
Employees will have the incentive to be active partners of change if they can share in rewards when the company performs well, the Government said, adding that this will 'raise morale and increase cooperation'.
The statement, which was also critical of the 'troubled' relationship between SIA's management and its pilots' union, said the Manpower Ministry will help SIA and its unions in developing wage systems to reward good performers.
SIA could not give its response to the Government's statement by press time.
For almost 25 years, the relationship between SIA's management and union has been stormy, with at least 20 disputes escalating beyond the two parties and requiring mediation from the ministry or, at the highest level, the Industrial Arbitration Court.
In a fracas last year, when the management proposed that the pilots rest in economy-class seats instead of business class, the union accused management of making a 'unilateral' decision which altered the terms of their collective agreement.
An SIA pilot, who asked not to be named, agreed that both sides have been fighting 'for decades' as the pilots are constantly unhappy with management decisions.
'The management definitely has to improve. It has no choice, especially since morale right now is rock-bottom, what with the pay cuts and retrenchments,' he said.
He said some of his colleagues were leaving SIA to join other airlines which offered better salaries. -- Wong Sher Maine
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on the money
Help me here guys: is it true that a cabin crew[say 15 years seniority] on CX in grosses S$8000 a month?. If so, must be one one of the highest paying flying jobs around!.
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Sieg heil Lee Hsien Loong!
Is there ANYONE whos truley surprised by this latest move by the Singapore 4th Reich government? If there is where the bloodey hell have you been the last 23 years?
An "anschluss" of ALPA-S will be the next obvius tactical move by the Party (see N.T.U.C. 1987), with the full support of the SQ High Kommand of course.
An "anschluss" of ALPA-S will be the next obvius tactical move by the Party (see N.T.U.C. 1987), with the full support of the SQ High Kommand of course.
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Here is number six of six articles to appear in The Straits Times:
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...222911,00.html
DEC 1, 2003
NTUC calls for management and union to work together
THE National Trades Union Congress said last night that it supported the Government's call for Singapore Airlines' management to take the lead in forging a 'common understanding and improving communications' with its employees.
And it expressed hope that the company and the Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore (Alpa-S) could put the current episode behind them and work together.
In a statement issued last night, the labour movement said that it took the effort of both the management and union to achieve a more harmonious industrial relationship.
Although Alpa-S is not an affiliate, the NTUC said that it viewed the sacking of the Alpa-S executive council members with 'much concern', pointing out that the move had far-reaching implications.
The issue was not merely an internal union matter nor a question of members having the constitutional right to act, it said.
It recalled that during the Sars crisis earlier this year, SIA had proposed cost-cutting measures, and the Alpa-S executive council took the matter all the way to the Industrial Arbitration Court.
A compromise was finally reached which included the sharing of gains should SIA's business pick up again. This was put to the members of Alpa-S in a general meeting and was agreed on. 'To now sack the council must mean that the pilots want future councils to take disputes beyond compromise and arbitration,' the statement said.
'Otherwise, why should there be a vote of no-confidence against the team that led the negotiations?'
It added that Alpa-S is not the only union in the SIA group. The statement had also noted earlier that Alpa-S was not an NTUC affiliate.
'There are other unions representing cabin crew, technicians, engineers, airport workers and other staff. Their livelihoods depend on the continued success of the company,' the NTUC said, adding that Singapore's tourism industry and development as an air hub depended highly on SIA's growth.
It said: 'An uncompromising attitude by one union in SIA will set a tougher tone for future negotiations in the company as a whole.'
And when the disputes become public, the NTUC said, these 'will raise concern about SIA's operations among its business partners and passengers'.
It was of the view that any adverse impact would reach beyond the pilots' union - to other parts of SIA, as well as to Singapore's industry and economy.
'Unions should work hard to get the best deal for its members and workers. But they must always have the broader picture in mind,' the statement said.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...222911,00.html
DEC 1, 2003
NTUC calls for management and union to work together
THE National Trades Union Congress said last night that it supported the Government's call for Singapore Airlines' management to take the lead in forging a 'common understanding and improving communications' with its employees.
And it expressed hope that the company and the Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore (Alpa-S) could put the current episode behind them and work together.
In a statement issued last night, the labour movement said that it took the effort of both the management and union to achieve a more harmonious industrial relationship.
Although Alpa-S is not an affiliate, the NTUC said that it viewed the sacking of the Alpa-S executive council members with 'much concern', pointing out that the move had far-reaching implications.
The issue was not merely an internal union matter nor a question of members having the constitutional right to act, it said.
It recalled that during the Sars crisis earlier this year, SIA had proposed cost-cutting measures, and the Alpa-S executive council took the matter all the way to the Industrial Arbitration Court.
A compromise was finally reached which included the sharing of gains should SIA's business pick up again. This was put to the members of Alpa-S in a general meeting and was agreed on. 'To now sack the council must mean that the pilots want future councils to take disputes beyond compromise and arbitration,' the statement said.
'Otherwise, why should there be a vote of no-confidence against the team that led the negotiations?'
It added that Alpa-S is not the only union in the SIA group. The statement had also noted earlier that Alpa-S was not an NTUC affiliate.
'There are other unions representing cabin crew, technicians, engineers, airport workers and other staff. Their livelihoods depend on the continued success of the company,' the NTUC said, adding that Singapore's tourism industry and development as an air hub depended highly on SIA's growth.
It said: 'An uncompromising attitude by one union in SIA will set a tougher tone for future negotiations in the company as a whole.'
And when the disputes become public, the NTUC said, these 'will raise concern about SIA's operations among its business partners and passengers'.
It was of the view that any adverse impact would reach beyond the pilots' union - to other parts of SIA, as well as to Singapore's industry and economy.
'Unions should work hard to get the best deal for its members and workers. But they must always have the broader picture in mind,' the statement said.
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The Singapore Government, and perhaps in particular, DPM Lee, shows every sign of being thoroughly frightened by the recent display of genuine democracy in action, as exemplified by the latest Alpa-S EGM, which produced a vote of no confidence in the Association’s Exco, thus forcing this committee’s subsequent resignation. Perhaps in pique, the Government seems to be exercising singularly poor judgment in peremptorily legislating to fundamentally alter the constitution of Alpa-S at the very time when the Association looks to be possibly fielding an effective Exco to square off with the SQ management in the upcoming CA negotiations.
The contemporary production of a number of red herrings, disseminated by tame mouthpieces and reported in the similarly tame organ, the Straits Times, in preparation for and in support of this move, seems to have further reduced the Government’s credibility both amongst ex-pat and, most significantly, local SQ employees. This latter group’s stance, I’m told, now mirrors the general population’s opaque but ubiquitous derision of its Government’s authoritarianism and high cynicism of the new leader’s meteoric rise to power on the long advertised meretricious basis.
When DPM becomes PM, on some emergent date in 2004, I suspect that the above will merely be shown as a harbinger of future events to befall the wider Republic.
The contemporary production of a number of red herrings, disseminated by tame mouthpieces and reported in the similarly tame organ, the Straits Times, in preparation for and in support of this move, seems to have further reduced the Government’s credibility both amongst ex-pat and, most significantly, local SQ employees. This latter group’s stance, I’m told, now mirrors the general population’s opaque but ubiquitous derision of its Government’s authoritarianism and high cynicism of the new leader’s meteoric rise to power on the long advertised meretricious basis.
When DPM becomes PM, on some emergent date in 2004, I suspect that the above will merely be shown as a harbinger of future events to befall the wider Republic.
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Government will not allow work-to-rule situation, SM Lee warns SIA pilots
By S. Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE : Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew has warned Singapore Airlines' pilots that the Government will not allow a go-slow or work-to-rule situation to brew in the airline because of the tensions between management and pilots.
In the strongest words from a minister, Mr Lee said when trouble was brewing, the Government had two options - either do nothing and hope it will resolve itself or move in early to avoid severe consequences.
Advertisement
Mr Lee was speaking at the Global Brand Forum in Singapore on Monday.
Mr Lee said: "This is a service industry, you have stewards or stewardess or pilots playing work-to-rule, you lose that cache. So we are telling them, both management and unions, you play this game there are going to be broken heads, let's stop it.
"They know what this is all about, we are not fools, we know what the management knows, we know the union side too, we have got unionists on our side and we are going to solve this before it gets troublesome, solve it we will.
"If we sit back and do nothing and allow this to escalate and test the wills, then it is going to loose hundreds of millions of dollars in one, two, three months. We are not going to have that." - CNA
By S. Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE : Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew has warned Singapore Airlines' pilots that the Government will not allow a go-slow or work-to-rule situation to brew in the airline because of the tensions between management and pilots.
In the strongest words from a minister, Mr Lee said when trouble was brewing, the Government had two options - either do nothing and hope it will resolve itself or move in early to avoid severe consequences.
Advertisement
Mr Lee was speaking at the Global Brand Forum in Singapore on Monday.
Mr Lee said: "This is a service industry, you have stewards or stewardess or pilots playing work-to-rule, you lose that cache. So we are telling them, both management and unions, you play this game there are going to be broken heads, let's stop it.
"They know what this is all about, we are not fools, we know what the management knows, we know the union side too, we have got unionists on our side and we are going to solve this before it gets troublesome, solve it we will.
"If we sit back and do nothing and allow this to escalate and test the wills, then it is going to loose hundreds of millions of dollars in one, two, three months. We are not going to have that." - CNA
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Interesting to note on the front page of today’s Straits Times (2 Dec 2003) that SM Lee is quoted as saying that:
“SIA has had troubles with the pilots for a long time. As I’ve said, pilots believe they’re special. They’ve got huge egos, I’m told”.
Perhaps these words beg the three questions:
1. Has nobody in government, in all the time intervening between the present day and SM Lee’s last public intervention in SIA/Alpa-S affairs in the early eighties, ever asked themselves why this should be so?
2. Do the latter words not reveal a worrisome and unhealthy personal antipathy towards a particular grouping of employees and which antipathy is surely likely to cloud any even-handed decision making in a controversy largely of the Government’s own manufacture?
3. Who are the advisers to SM Lee who can so accurately differentiate between a markedly inflated ego and a moderately sized one?
Of further noteworthy interest to readers conversant with the Singapore way, is that any opposition politician who suggested that SM Lee thought himself special and had a huge ego would instantly be in receipt of a defamation suit, the hearing of which would be miraculously expedited through the court system, following which, guilt would quickly be apportioned and punitive damages would then bankrupt the wretch, rendering him unfit to hold public office.
Does SM Lee not consider that his statement defames the SIA pilot group and is he even now fearful of the writ arriving on his doorstep?
“SIA has had troubles with the pilots for a long time. As I’ve said, pilots believe they’re special. They’ve got huge egos, I’m told”.
Perhaps these words beg the three questions:
1. Has nobody in government, in all the time intervening between the present day and SM Lee’s last public intervention in SIA/Alpa-S affairs in the early eighties, ever asked themselves why this should be so?
2. Do the latter words not reveal a worrisome and unhealthy personal antipathy towards a particular grouping of employees and which antipathy is surely likely to cloud any even-handed decision making in a controversy largely of the Government’s own manufacture?
3. Who are the advisers to SM Lee who can so accurately differentiate between a markedly inflated ego and a moderately sized one?
Of further noteworthy interest to readers conversant with the Singapore way, is that any opposition politician who suggested that SM Lee thought himself special and had a huge ego would instantly be in receipt of a defamation suit, the hearing of which would be miraculously expedited through the court system, following which, guilt would quickly be apportioned and punitive damages would then bankrupt the wretch, rendering him unfit to hold public office.
Does SM Lee not consider that his statement defames the SIA pilot group and is he even now fearful of the writ arriving on his doorstep?
Last edited by highcirrus; 2nd Dec 2003 at 08:42.
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How on earth SM Lee has the nerve to write a book about Singapore named "From Third World to First World" beggars belief.
Singapore may be First World in some areas but is most definitely Third World in most. eg Exploitation of Maids,ferrying building workers around in the backs of lorries, Draconian Labour Laws etc etc
The Government now wants to stop members of Alpha-S having the right to vote on any deals and instead leave it to the Committee to decide on behalf of the members!!!
SQ get the same fares as competitors such as BA,Qantas,United.Air France ,Lufthansa yet have a hugely lower cost base ie Salaries.
All SQ Pilots want is a Salary closer to those Pilots. Singapore is not Third World when it comes to the Cost of Living !!
As High Cirrus says any political opposition is taken to Court for Defamation which renders that person ineligible to seek nomination as a candidate for Election,
Recently an eminent Australian Defamation Barrister was barred from supporting a client as he had made comments about the cosy relationship between Judges and the Government Barrister having tea together in a defamation case which surprise surprise the Govt won!!
The Whipping up by Govt Ministers against the Pilots is deplorable. Unfortunatley Joe Public in Singapore look at Pilots with a certain amount of envy due to this kind of Govt antics so we are on our own.
Singapore may be First World in some areas but is most definitely Third World in most. eg Exploitation of Maids,ferrying building workers around in the backs of lorries, Draconian Labour Laws etc etc
The Government now wants to stop members of Alpha-S having the right to vote on any deals and instead leave it to the Committee to decide on behalf of the members!!!
SQ get the same fares as competitors such as BA,Qantas,United.Air France ,Lufthansa yet have a hugely lower cost base ie Salaries.
All SQ Pilots want is a Salary closer to those Pilots. Singapore is not Third World when it comes to the Cost of Living !!
As High Cirrus says any political opposition is taken to Court for Defamation which renders that person ineligible to seek nomination as a candidate for Election,
Recently an eminent Australian Defamation Barrister was barred from supporting a client as he had made comments about the cosy relationship between Judges and the Government Barrister having tea together in a defamation case which surprise surprise the Govt won!!
The Whipping up by Govt Ministers against the Pilots is deplorable. Unfortunatley Joe Public in Singapore look at Pilots with a certain amount of envy due to this kind of Govt antics so we are on our own.
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ALPA-S did not even update this development on it's website. It is embarassing to have to read about your own Associations' events on the local news website. I thought only SIA did that to it's staff...
Two candidates to contest airline pilots' union presidency
02 December 2003 2103 hrs (SST)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../60092/1/.html
SINGAPORE : Two captains have come forward to contest the post of president of the controversial Airline Pilots Association of Singapore (ALPA-S).
They threw their hats into the ring just before nominations closed at noon on Tuesday.
None of the union leaders from the committee that was recently booted out are planning to seek re-election.
The two men eyeing the top post in the pilots' union are Captain Mok Hin Choon and Captain Syed Abdul Kader.
Captain Mok was president of the union from 1999 to 2000 and is no stranger to controversy.
He quit the helm before his three-year term was up to force elections and get a fresh mandate, but was not re-elected.
The other contender, Captain Syed, also has labour relations experience.
As former chairman of the Flight Engineers Branch, he negotiated a collective agreement in the 1980s.
He said he would distribute his "manifesto" to pilots on Wednesday.
Some pilots were surprised the top post in the union is being contested, especially after the harsh words levelled at the pilots for their confontational approach to labour relations.
In a speech at the Global Brand Forum on Monday, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew had said: "Pilots believe they are special, they got huge egos, I'm told. We are telling both management and unions - you play this game, there are going to be broken heads - let's stop it."
In 2001, Captain Dilip Padbidri was the only nominee for the post of president.
He and the rest of his executive committee were booted out recently, and none plan to stand for re-election.
Over the past few days, several Government leaders have repeatedly emphasised the importance of harmonious industrial relations and the role it has played in Singapore's economic growth.
So it is no surprise that these leaders have expressed concern over the state of relations between SIA's management and its pilots, especially if there are calls for work stoppage.
But the outgoing union president has assured that there is no danger of this.
Captain Dilip said: "I need to allay everyone's fears, the pilots I believe strongly will never embark on such a mission to go on a work stoppage. I am very confident the incoming exco will not embark on a route to self-destruction for the airline. Work stoppages I do not think will ever occur."
Another challenge will be to renegotiate the current collective agreement which expires in mid-December.
Talks with SIA's management are expected to resume in late December or early January.
Captain Dilip added: "One of the key concerns was that the company has to take into consideration market rates when they pay salary. Recently after the wage cuts there has been some unhappiness."
Voting for the new president of the pilots union will take place between December 5 and December 19.
Nominations for committee members close on Thursday, and voting for this group will be held from December 8 to December 22. - CNA
Two candidates to contest airline pilots' union presidency
02 December 2003 2103 hrs (SST)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../60092/1/.html
SINGAPORE : Two captains have come forward to contest the post of president of the controversial Airline Pilots Association of Singapore (ALPA-S).
They threw their hats into the ring just before nominations closed at noon on Tuesday.
None of the union leaders from the committee that was recently booted out are planning to seek re-election.
The two men eyeing the top post in the pilots' union are Captain Mok Hin Choon and Captain Syed Abdul Kader.
Captain Mok was president of the union from 1999 to 2000 and is no stranger to controversy.
He quit the helm before his three-year term was up to force elections and get a fresh mandate, but was not re-elected.
The other contender, Captain Syed, also has labour relations experience.
As former chairman of the Flight Engineers Branch, he negotiated a collective agreement in the 1980s.
He said he would distribute his "manifesto" to pilots on Wednesday.
Some pilots were surprised the top post in the union is being contested, especially after the harsh words levelled at the pilots for their confontational approach to labour relations.
In a speech at the Global Brand Forum on Monday, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew had said: "Pilots believe they are special, they got huge egos, I'm told. We are telling both management and unions - you play this game, there are going to be broken heads - let's stop it."
In 2001, Captain Dilip Padbidri was the only nominee for the post of president.
He and the rest of his executive committee were booted out recently, and none plan to stand for re-election.
Over the past few days, several Government leaders have repeatedly emphasised the importance of harmonious industrial relations and the role it has played in Singapore's economic growth.
So it is no surprise that these leaders have expressed concern over the state of relations between SIA's management and its pilots, especially if there are calls for work stoppage.
But the outgoing union president has assured that there is no danger of this.
Captain Dilip said: "I need to allay everyone's fears, the pilots I believe strongly will never embark on such a mission to go on a work stoppage. I am very confident the incoming exco will not embark on a route to self-destruction for the airline. Work stoppages I do not think will ever occur."
Another challenge will be to renegotiate the current collective agreement which expires in mid-December.
Talks with SIA's management are expected to resume in late December or early January.
Captain Dilip added: "One of the key concerns was that the company has to take into consideration market rates when they pay salary. Recently after the wage cuts there has been some unhappiness."
Voting for the new president of the pilots union will take place between December 5 and December 19.
Nominations for committee members close on Thursday, and voting for this group will be held from December 8 to December 22. - CNA
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Here's another ("official") version of the same story. Notice any differences?
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...23136,00.html?
DEC 3, 2003
Two want top job at SIA pilots' union
Voting begins on Friday to choose new president
By Rebecca Lee
TRANSPORT REPORTER
TWO pilots are bidding for the hot seat of president of the controversy-ridden Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore (Alpa-S), which ousted its executive committee last month.
The immediate past president, Captain Mok Hin Choon, 50, and first-timer Syed Abdul Kader Syed Ali, 49, have submitted their nominations and members will cast their votes from Friday, when a two-week election period begins.
While The Straits Times has reported that Capt Mok had made known his intention to run, Capt Kader submitted his name just before nominations closed at noon yesterday.
Their decision to run comes amid the controversy that has swirled around the Alpa-S members' decision, by a 55 per cent majority, to oust its executive committee, led by Capt Dilip Padbidri, on Nov 17.
Members were said to be unhappy with the wage-cut deals that the exco had struck with the management and regarded the union leadership as being too soft.
Their moves were roundly criticised by the Government for being confrontational, and it is tightening the law to rein in members' right to have the final say on union-management negotiations.
Yesterday, Capt Kader said: 'I'm of the position that the problems that the members raised could be handled in the union instead of having the EGM and casting votes on the current leadership.'
The junior captain, who pilots a Boeing 777 aircraft, started his 26-year career with SIA as a flight engineer and became a pilot in 1992.
Although he has never been on the Alpa-S executive council, he served two three-year terms at the SIA Staff Union in the late 1980s and chaired its flight engineer branch for a term.
The father of six said that he had been approached by Capt Mok to run in his team. However, he decided to stand on his own as he did not agree with Capt Mok's position that the current leadership had to go.
But he praised his opponent: 'Capt Mok is a gentleman. He was my flight instructor and a good one.'
Capt Mok could not be contacted last night as he was flying from Melbourne. But sources said the pilot of 26 years and one-time president of Alpa-S decided to run for president to fill the leadership vacuum.
During his term, a collective agreement on pay packages that was negotiated with the management was rejected by 90 per cent of members at an extra-ordinary general meeting in January 2001.
The matter was referred to the Industrial Arbitration Court and eventually resolved out of court.
The subsequent resignation of two key office bearers in the exco led to Capt Mok resigning to call for elections to get a fresh mandate from members.
However, he did not stand for re-election after Capt Dilip challenged him. Capt Dilip then became president.
Nominations for the other exco posts close on Thursday.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...23136,00.html?
DEC 3, 2003
Two want top job at SIA pilots' union
Voting begins on Friday to choose new president
By Rebecca Lee
TRANSPORT REPORTER
TWO pilots are bidding for the hot seat of president of the controversy-ridden Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore (Alpa-S), which ousted its executive committee last month.
The immediate past president, Captain Mok Hin Choon, 50, and first-timer Syed Abdul Kader Syed Ali, 49, have submitted their nominations and members will cast their votes from Friday, when a two-week election period begins.
While The Straits Times has reported that Capt Mok had made known his intention to run, Capt Kader submitted his name just before nominations closed at noon yesterday.
Their decision to run comes amid the controversy that has swirled around the Alpa-S members' decision, by a 55 per cent majority, to oust its executive committee, led by Capt Dilip Padbidri, on Nov 17.
Members were said to be unhappy with the wage-cut deals that the exco had struck with the management and regarded the union leadership as being too soft.
Their moves were roundly criticised by the Government for being confrontational, and it is tightening the law to rein in members' right to have the final say on union-management negotiations.
Yesterday, Capt Kader said: 'I'm of the position that the problems that the members raised could be handled in the union instead of having the EGM and casting votes on the current leadership.'
The junior captain, who pilots a Boeing 777 aircraft, started his 26-year career with SIA as a flight engineer and became a pilot in 1992.
Although he has never been on the Alpa-S executive council, he served two three-year terms at the SIA Staff Union in the late 1980s and chaired its flight engineer branch for a term.
The father of six said that he had been approached by Capt Mok to run in his team. However, he decided to stand on his own as he did not agree with Capt Mok's position that the current leadership had to go.
But he praised his opponent: 'Capt Mok is a gentleman. He was my flight instructor and a good one.'
Capt Mok could not be contacted last night as he was flying from Melbourne. But sources said the pilot of 26 years and one-time president of Alpa-S decided to run for president to fill the leadership vacuum.
During his term, a collective agreement on pay packages that was negotiated with the management was rejected by 90 per cent of members at an extra-ordinary general meeting in January 2001.
The matter was referred to the Industrial Arbitration Court and eventually resolved out of court.
The subsequent resignation of two key office bearers in the exco led to Capt Mok resigning to call for elections to get a fresh mandate from members.
However, he did not stand for re-election after Capt Dilip challenged him. Capt Dilip then became president.
Nominations for the other exco posts close on Thursday.
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Another minister joins the Pilot Bashing Party...
Transport Minister urges SIA, pilots' union to adopt long term view
03 December 2003 1339 hrs (SST)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../60218/1/.html
SINGAPORE : Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong has called on Singapore Airlines and the pilots' union to adopt a long term view and improve industrial relations.
He urged them to stick together in the face of intense competition that is expected from the entry of budget airlines.
Speaking on the issue for the first time, Mr Yeo said SIA will have to get its act together to improve its rocky labour relations.
But he fell short of saying exactly what the government expects the SIA management to do.
Asked if SIA should be doing more, Mr Yeo only said he has confidence in the company's management.
"We all have to face the future together because we are in it together. And the pilots, even more so. I think we have to adopt a long view and realise that if we don't work together, it may get some short term gains, but over the longer term...they are all going to lose out.
"So it is in their individual interest to ensure that SIA remain strong. And it is also in the interest of the SIA management themselves to work closely with all the staff, whether it's the pilots or cabin crew to make sure that the morale is high, the company is cohesive and everybody is doing their best to ensure passengers remain loyal to SIA and will remain flying with SIA regardless of whether there's a budget airline around," Mr Yeo added.
On the election of a new executive committee for the Airline Pilots Association, Mr Yeo said new members should act calmly and rationally in the interest of SIA and Singapore as a whole.
Mr Yeo was speaking to the media after giving out this year's National Courtesy Award for the transport sector. - NewsRadio 93.8
Transport Minister urges SIA, pilots' union to adopt long term view
03 December 2003 1339 hrs (SST)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../60218/1/.html
SINGAPORE : Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong has called on Singapore Airlines and the pilots' union to adopt a long term view and improve industrial relations.
He urged them to stick together in the face of intense competition that is expected from the entry of budget airlines.
Speaking on the issue for the first time, Mr Yeo said SIA will have to get its act together to improve its rocky labour relations.
But he fell short of saying exactly what the government expects the SIA management to do.
Asked if SIA should be doing more, Mr Yeo only said he has confidence in the company's management.
"We all have to face the future together because we are in it together. And the pilots, even more so. I think we have to adopt a long view and realise that if we don't work together, it may get some short term gains, but over the longer term...they are all going to lose out.
"So it is in their individual interest to ensure that SIA remain strong. And it is also in the interest of the SIA management themselves to work closely with all the staff, whether it's the pilots or cabin crew to make sure that the morale is high, the company is cohesive and everybody is doing their best to ensure passengers remain loyal to SIA and will remain flying with SIA regardless of whether there's a budget airline around," Mr Yeo added.
On the election of a new executive committee for the Airline Pilots Association, Mr Yeo said new members should act calmly and rationally in the interest of SIA and Singapore as a whole.
Mr Yeo was speaking to the media after giving out this year's National Courtesy Award for the transport sector. - NewsRadio 93.8
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Nothing much can be done.Too tight a control by the goverment.Best way to show contempt and displeasure is to leave for other airlines.A lot of them are doing it now, not all expats.The choice for FO either EK or KA.For most capts CAL is the choice.
For so many years i thought things will work itself out,to be better.How sad not true.Where is the logic?Management with no compassion,and the BIG BRO there totally all out to screw the ""BIG EGO"" pilots.
For so many years i thought things will work itself out,to be better.How sad not true.Where is the logic?Management with no compassion,and the BIG BRO there totally all out to screw the ""BIG EGO"" pilots.
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I wonder if the Government of Singapore will ever wake up to the fact that they can't go on paying out top dollar to shareholders and expect the employees to foot the bill.
If the employees are expected to bear cuts then so too must the shareholders.
If the employees are expected to bear cuts then so too must the shareholders.