Low Morale in SIA
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Low Morale in SIA
DEC 9, 2003
SIA bosses meet union leaders
Low morale? Let's talk
The closed-door meeting tackles concerns over spate of resignations and staff morale, sources tell REBECCA LEE
SINGAPORE Airlines top brass met leaders from the five SIA unions yesterday for what sources said was a discussion on flagging morale at the national carrier.
The closed-door morning meeting, involving SIA chairman Koh Boon Hwee, chief executive Chew Choon Seng and union officials, was an indication that a recent spate of resignations has raised concerns among management.
It is not clear who initiated the talks, but The Straits Times understands that the meeting, which lasted a few hours, centred on the low morale among staff.
'The morale is very bad and all of us are concerned because we care about the company. The unions were called in to see how they can assist in this area,' a source said.
Morale has apparently been affected by the 5 to 16.5 per cent wage cuts which followed the Sars outbreak; the retrenchment of nearly 600 staff; and the release of another 145 on special retirement packages.
SIA's quick turnaround in the July-to-September quarter did not help matters because some employees felt this recovery warranted a restoration of their pay.
The national carrier made a profit of $306 million in that quarter, reversing a first-ever loss of $312 million in the previous quarter.
SIA has not indicated what its thinking on this is, except to say it will honour the June agreement with unions to make a one-off lump sum payment to compensate for the wage cuts.
It has also not said whether pay cuts will be restored.
Even with the Government's intervention over escalating tensions between pilots and management - which saw bosses being told to improve on human-resource management - SIA could not say, when the press asked, what concrete plans it had to improve staff morale.
But yesterday's meeting was called to explore ways to get the airline out of the 'rut', a management source said, referring to what he saw as a startling number of resignations in recent months.
The unions also wanted to find a way to resolve the issue without government intervention, the source added.
It is understood that simmering unhappiness and the lure of higher paying jobs have led to more than 10 SIA pilots resigning recently, with another 12 having secured jobs elsewhere. More than five pilots have also left SilkAir, SIA's regional wing. Unions say at least 11 SIA aircraft engineers and several cabin crew have also left, and that many more executives have quit.
A source said yesterday's meeting was 'very interactive', with both Mr Koh and Mr Chew reacting in a 'very positive way' and listening to the feedback from unionists.
At least two representatives were present from each of the five SIA unions: the SIA Staff Union; SIA Engineering Company Engineers and Executives Union; Singapore Airport Terminal Services Workers' Union; Air Transport Executives Staff Union; and Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore.
SIA would not comment on the discussion, but a spokesman said: 'We have regular meetings involving management and unions representing SIA staff.
'We have a commitment to continue to better communicate with SIA staff and their representatives. As a matter of principle, we do not provide a running commentary on this dialogue.'
Union representatives contacted also declined to comment on the meeting. It is understood that both sides agreed that they would not go public with the meeting or what was said.
SIA's problems have been in the spotlight recently, especially after last month's ouster of leaders of the pilots' union, which drew criticism from several ministers.
The election for the post of president is now under way and will end on Dec 19. But there will be no vote for the executive committee because only 17 candidates stepped forward for the 19 seats.
At the weekend, labour chief Lim Boon Heng said he did not think the lack of candidates was a result of pilots being scared off by the Government.
Instead, he attributed it to the fact that the election had been called suddenly.
He also dismissed talk about candidate Syed Abdul Kader, who is standing against pilots' union veteran Mok Hin Choon, being closely aligned with the National Trades Union Congress.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sin...24314,00.html?
SIA bosses meet union leaders
Low morale? Let's talk
The closed-door meeting tackles concerns over spate of resignations and staff morale, sources tell REBECCA LEE
SINGAPORE Airlines top brass met leaders from the five SIA unions yesterday for what sources said was a discussion on flagging morale at the national carrier.
The closed-door morning meeting, involving SIA chairman Koh Boon Hwee, chief executive Chew Choon Seng and union officials, was an indication that a recent spate of resignations has raised concerns among management.
It is not clear who initiated the talks, but The Straits Times understands that the meeting, which lasted a few hours, centred on the low morale among staff.
'The morale is very bad and all of us are concerned because we care about the company. The unions were called in to see how they can assist in this area,' a source said.
Morale has apparently been affected by the 5 to 16.5 per cent wage cuts which followed the Sars outbreak; the retrenchment of nearly 600 staff; and the release of another 145 on special retirement packages.
SIA's quick turnaround in the July-to-September quarter did not help matters because some employees felt this recovery warranted a restoration of their pay.
The national carrier made a profit of $306 million in that quarter, reversing a first-ever loss of $312 million in the previous quarter.
SIA has not indicated what its thinking on this is, except to say it will honour the June agreement with unions to make a one-off lump sum payment to compensate for the wage cuts.
It has also not said whether pay cuts will be restored.
Even with the Government's intervention over escalating tensions between pilots and management - which saw bosses being told to improve on human-resource management - SIA could not say, when the press asked, what concrete plans it had to improve staff morale.
But yesterday's meeting was called to explore ways to get the airline out of the 'rut', a management source said, referring to what he saw as a startling number of resignations in recent months.
The unions also wanted to find a way to resolve the issue without government intervention, the source added.
It is understood that simmering unhappiness and the lure of higher paying jobs have led to more than 10 SIA pilots resigning recently, with another 12 having secured jobs elsewhere. More than five pilots have also left SilkAir, SIA's regional wing. Unions say at least 11 SIA aircraft engineers and several cabin crew have also left, and that many more executives have quit.
A source said yesterday's meeting was 'very interactive', with both Mr Koh and Mr Chew reacting in a 'very positive way' and listening to the feedback from unionists.
At least two representatives were present from each of the five SIA unions: the SIA Staff Union; SIA Engineering Company Engineers and Executives Union; Singapore Airport Terminal Services Workers' Union; Air Transport Executives Staff Union; and Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore.
SIA would not comment on the discussion, but a spokesman said: 'We have regular meetings involving management and unions representing SIA staff.
'We have a commitment to continue to better communicate with SIA staff and their representatives. As a matter of principle, we do not provide a running commentary on this dialogue.'
Union representatives contacted also declined to comment on the meeting. It is understood that both sides agreed that they would not go public with the meeting or what was said.
SIA's problems have been in the spotlight recently, especially after last month's ouster of leaders of the pilots' union, which drew criticism from several ministers.
The election for the post of president is now under way and will end on Dec 19. But there will be no vote for the executive committee because only 17 candidates stepped forward for the 19 seats.
At the weekend, labour chief Lim Boon Heng said he did not think the lack of candidates was a result of pilots being scared off by the Government.
Instead, he attributed it to the fact that the election had been called suddenly.
He also dismissed talk about candidate Syed Abdul Kader, who is standing against pilots' union veteran Mok Hin Choon, being closely aligned with the National Trades Union Congress.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sin...24314,00.html?
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To add on to the low morale:
Wednesday December 10, 2:15 PM
CAAS confirms talks ongoing with budget carrier Tiger Airways
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SINGAPORE : The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has confirmed that it is holding preliminary confidential talks with Tiger Airways, the no-frills carrier to be launched by Singapore Airlines next year.
To operate as a Singapore-based carrier, CAAS says the airline will first have to apply for an Air Operator Certificate.
Thereafter, it will have to apply for air traffic rights from the Air Traffic Rights Committee.
CAAS says Singapore has always welcomed all carriers to operate to and from the country, as this will enhance the republic's position as an air hub.
Tiger Airways - the product of a four-party venture - was announced by SIA on Tuesday.
It is expected to start flight operations in the second half of 2004, although details on destinations and ticket prices have yet to be revealed.
SIA's partners in the joint venture will be Ryanair founder Tony Ryan's Irelandia Investments, the Singapore government's investment arm, Temasek Holdings, and US private investors Indigo Partners.
SIA's entry into the budget airline industry will certainly raise the stakes following other carriers' expressed intention to operate from the country.
ValuAir, Singapore's first budget airline, plans to begin operations in the second quarter of 2004, while Malaysia-based AirAsia will soon ferry passengers to and from regional destinations via the Senai airport in Johor Bahru.
AirAsia also wants to secure landing rights in Singapore but its attempts have yet to be successful. There is also no decision on which airport - Changi or Seletar - AirAsia would use as its base. - CNA
Wednesday December 10, 2:15 PM
CAAS confirms talks ongoing with budget carrier Tiger Airways
ADVERTISEMENT
SINGAPORE : The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has confirmed that it is holding preliminary confidential talks with Tiger Airways, the no-frills carrier to be launched by Singapore Airlines next year.
To operate as a Singapore-based carrier, CAAS says the airline will first have to apply for an Air Operator Certificate.
Thereafter, it will have to apply for air traffic rights from the Air Traffic Rights Committee.
CAAS says Singapore has always welcomed all carriers to operate to and from the country, as this will enhance the republic's position as an air hub.
Tiger Airways - the product of a four-party venture - was announced by SIA on Tuesday.
It is expected to start flight operations in the second half of 2004, although details on destinations and ticket prices have yet to be revealed.
SIA's partners in the joint venture will be Ryanair founder Tony Ryan's Irelandia Investments, the Singapore government's investment arm, Temasek Holdings, and US private investors Indigo Partners.
SIA's entry into the budget airline industry will certainly raise the stakes following other carriers' expressed intention to operate from the country.
ValuAir, Singapore's first budget airline, plans to begin operations in the second quarter of 2004, while Malaysia-based AirAsia will soon ferry passengers to and from regional destinations via the Senai airport in Johor Bahru.
AirAsia also wants to secure landing rights in Singapore but its attempts have yet to be successful. There is also no decision on which airport - Changi or Seletar - AirAsia would use as its base. - CNA
And luna landing I suppose that you are one of "the intelligent people"??? Grief.
Whilst there may be one or two old timers who have a Roller or a Porche - the nearest to a Rolls Royce 99.9% of the "wings and bars" people get, is when we fly the 777. Your head is in a clowds - get back to earth man.
Whilst there may be one or two old timers who have a Roller or a Porche - the nearest to a Rolls Royce 99.9% of the "wings and bars" people get, is when we fly the 777. Your head is in a clowds - get back to earth man.
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Today's (Dec 10) Straitened Times carries a further article on plans for Tiger Airways, noting a rash of budget carrier start-ups in SE Asia (AirAsia, Valuair, maybe one in Thailand) in addition to Tiger). Reportedly, SIA is unperturbed, its CEO, Chew Choon Seng, averring "The more the merrier. And we are the fittest group". If he's right - and he may well be - we all know why. It's all the money he's banking by paying derisory wages to his pilots. Nice one, Mr Chew! 
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SIA the fittest group? I don't think so! It may well appear to be to the average observer but SIA is actually rotting from the inside and it will only be a matter of time before the symptoms start to show.
This foray into the low cost area further illustrates their lack of understanding of their own industry, although I personally think it's more of a political ploy to stunt the growth of ValuAir. It will be interesting to see who on earth are going to fly for them given their current dreadful reputation with their own tech crew. It's not like they're going to pay lots of money, is it?
This foray into the low cost area further illustrates their lack of understanding of their own industry, although I personally think it's more of a political ploy to stunt the growth of ValuAir. It will be interesting to see who on earth are going to fly for them given their current dreadful reputation with their own tech crew. It's not like they're going to pay lots of money, is it?
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dialogue? kylie's sister?
when the govt. or it's appointed minion says it is in 'dialogue' with the ppl. it is nothing more than re-stating whatever was in the media.
it is for employees whom they feel are illiterate.
my advice is for the employees to vote with their feet. that is the only dialogue they understand.
if they are set on getting pilots for peanuts and not appear in the news for another tech misadventure, i wish all their passengers the very best on their flights with SQ/MI/(whatever tiger wants).
i like the way he put it. we are not in the habit of making profits off our employees sacrifices??? without even a snigger, true proffesional. perhaps it is true, when you do it often enough, it is a fact.
it is for employees whom they feel are illiterate.
my advice is for the employees to vote with their feet. that is the only dialogue they understand.
if they are set on getting pilots for peanuts and not appear in the news for another tech misadventure, i wish all their passengers the very best on their flights with SQ/MI/(whatever tiger wants).
i like the way he put it. we are not in the habit of making profits off our employees sacrifices??? without even a snigger, true proffesional. perhaps it is true, when you do it often enough, it is a fact.
