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SQ pilots under great political pressure
Hi all,
An SQ pilot friend sent this ,see below, with the comment that " the political heat and pressure is now levelled at the pilot community. The airline has now lost some 10 senior pilots,who have resigned ". -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...21800,00.html? NOV 25, 2003 NTUC chief weighs in to criticise pilots By Rebecca Lee TRANSPORT REPORTER NTUC chief Lim Boon Heng yesterday slammed Singapore Airlines (SIA) pilots for stirring unrest that could jeopardise the airline's chances of hitting a profit target of $600 million. A failure to reach this full-year profit level would mean that all 28,717 SIA employees will not receive a lump-sum payment equal to their wage cuts of between 5 and 16.5 per cent. Neither will they get an additional 15 per cent payment that was promised as part of the deal SIA struck with its unions to stem losses from the Sars outbreak and the war in Iraq. 'The hopes of the other employees of SIA for a $600 million profit is now put at risk. Is that fair?' Mr Lim questioned. He recounted how the four NTUC-affiliated unions and the Air Line Pilots Association of Singapore (Alpa-S) had bargained hard on behalf of their members. In the case of Alpa-S, its leaders went back to their members to get their endorsement for the deal. 'So it comes as a surprise that the pilots, who had given their support to the wage cuts, with built-in protection should the company do better than expected, now boot out their leaders,' Mr Lim said in an email reply to The Straits Times. He questioned whether in ousting their leaders in a no-confidence vote last Monday, the pilots were merely exercising their rights. He added: 'It would be naive to think that they are just looking after their interest. It is like starting a fire in your bedroom, and telling your parents, brothers and sisters that it has no impact on them!' Mr Lim is the second minister to hit out at SIA pilots after Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen warned that he would not allow the pilots to risk Singapore's position as an air hub or threaten the harmonious industrial relations climate here. Yesterday, Alpa-S spokesman Captain P. James declined to comment further on the issue. SIA has taken a hands-off approach to the union's leadership squabble, but added that it will honour the wage deal it has struck with the unions. Spokesman Innes Willox added that the airline's recovery was still very fragile as 'travel confidence can be quickly buffeted'. On whether staff retrenched will be re-hired - a move that union leaders such as Singapore Airlines Staff Union general secretary Mohamed Hussain Kassim have been calling for - Mr Willox said they will be 'considered on merit'. |
"The airline has now lost some 10 senior pilots,who have resigned."
The exact tally as from yesterday, 24th November 2003 stands at 14. |
Exact tally as of yesterday but starting from when?
southernmtn
The exact tally as from yesterday, 24th November 2003 stands at 14. OK, so when did the tally start from - the beginning of this year, or from the the time ALPA-S members booted out the council, or from the time the newspapers started to bash the pilots? |
Lithgow, it's from the period when SARS was used as an excuse and opportunity to cut staff salaries,etc.
You sound like you have a more precise period and total. If so, let's have them. |
Lithgow, it's from the period when SARS was used as an excuse and opportunity to cut staff salaries,etc.
Fair enough. I wasn't keeping track of who left when. I was curious about the start point because if the tally was since the beginning of the year (as HR usually keeps records based on per calendar year) then some resignations may have nothing to do with SARS and the fallout if they were, say, in January. [I]You sound like you have a more precise period and total. If so, let's have them.[I] You are entitled to your opinion of why others ask questions. I asked the question because I was curious about the numbers, you appeared more updated and because I didn't know the basis of the numbers. Perhaps others ask you questions to set you up, as your reaction suggests. I just asked an innocent question. I'm sorry if I sounded like I was challenging you or setting you up. Such reactons usually come from somewhat senior pilots on the 747 fleet... |
whoa, whoa i says
'Perhaps others ask you questions to set you up, as your reaction suggests. I just asked an innocent question. I'm sorry if I sounded like I was challenging you or setting you up. Such reactons usually come from somewhat senior pilots on the 747 fleet...'
i don't think you are really remorseful. or else you would not assume, then lump all of the pilots in a certain aircraft type together. when there was no basis to support your stance. |
b777pilot
Jump in by all means! Oh dear, you've cornered me. I confess - I was being sarcastic. There, happy? or else you would not assume, then lump all of the pilots in a certain aircraft type together. when there was no basis to support your stance. I did not lump ALL OF THE PILOTS. I said, "somewhat senior pilots". That is hardly all of them. I have personal experience to support my stance. Granted it is not a scientific study, but I didn't have such encounters with the B777 guys, senior or otherwise. Read my opinion again: "Such reactions usually come from somewhat senior pilots on the 747 fleet...' Is it flawed? |
As best I can recall the departures from SIA are
April 5 Capts from A-310, 2 as close to 60, 1 contract not renewed, 2 terminations, 1 F/O termination all Expats. From A-340 at least 3 due close to 60. (Expats) June 7 remaining Expats from A-310 given options of 6 months NPL, 3 months pay or 3 months notice. July/August 25 or so terminations which was a selection from all bases, mostly Expats, some F/Os including locals and Expats on local terms. The other numbers appear to be since that time which includes some very senior SIPs/Management Yes it's the old GREYBEARD, PPRuNe Towers lost me when we moved Miss the flying but not the job. :ok: :ok: |
hahahaha
i really had a good laugh.
if you don't find senior pilots on the B747, where else would you find them? i would dare say in any company. paycale=seniority=aircraft type. that was a good one. you must be a riot in the cockpit! mind like a steel trap eh? |
b777Pilot, I suggest we stop wasting our time, unless you still want to continue to have a good laugh.
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The good laugh is that the complete ALPAS body of pilots is dragged into a very personal power struggle between some ex management pilots and the present management. The big laugh is that these ex management pilots all have several millions in the bank, just a few more years to go, residence permits in two or three other places and have nothing to loose. But all the suckers they drag along have an awfull lot to loose and are nowhere in the same financial leaque as their "newly elected leaders". This inhouse storm in the union could very easily run out of control and very soon during the first negotiations the union members solidarity and strength will be tested, something in the form like " Let's work to the rule and report one hour before ETD and read all the notam's, resulting in a 30 minutes delay". Now think real hard, or laugh even harder. How many union pilots will follow this wise advise to work to the rule...... NONE , ZERO , BIG NOTHING. Back to square one. Stop complaining and do what your told to do. No one among the present generation of ALPAS pilots has the guts, hunger,strength,vision, or whatever you want to call it to realy stand up for their rights, so it will always be a very watered down version of what you want when you deal with management.
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b777pilot
It appears you cannot grasp the meaning of words when used in their context. My point, in the context I used, was that I was referring to certain pilots nearing retirement, most likely from pre-CRM days, on the B747 fleet. Not all of them are like that, to say the least. if you don't find senior pilots on the B747, where else would you find them? You would also find them on the B777 fleet - are you saying that IPs and SIPs are not senior pilots? Are you saying that those with the most experience on THAT FLEET are not senior? i would dare say in any company. paycale=seniority=aircraft type. Ah, I see your simple minded equation now. All based on money. Experience is irrelevant. I stand by my opinion, you can have yours. But when you distort my statements, I will repeat exactly what I said so that you (I hope) and the rest can see the difference. To use your simple equation, what about direct entry F/Os, direct command Capts on the B747 - are they automatically more senior than their colleagues on other fleets? that was a good one. you must be a riot in the cockpit! mind like a steel trap eh? Thank you. I got you, didn't I? |
so many words but...
so many words JB (jeyaratnam??) but i would have to agree with you 100%.
at the end of the day, it is best if the union members voted with their legs. CAL, EK, Dragonair, that may put an end, and i say MAY to all this abuse of the labour office. someone even mentioned passport restrictions for singaporeans over a jug of beer the other night. not too far fetched i would think once they start playing hard-ball. it would take an act of parliament, you say?? like how long would it take? 10 mins to propose, debate then pass into law? under a similar post, i think cadets joining the cargo outfit are forbidden to be union members? but again, without confirming, i would not put it pass them. telling ppl,'if you don't like it, you can leave!' is one thing, when ppl actually walk, i think i would not put it pass them to hinder/block/frustrate your efforts to go somewhere and ply your trade. remember you heard it here first and not the local daily. (okay, i guess i should stop laughing now, southernmtn) |
lithgow, you're back. sharp as ever! total credit to your employer.
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I wonder if some of the SQ union members slowely are waking up and start to realise that i.s.o.this big deal about the upcoming CA negotiations , they are supporting a big , ex management guy's , personal vendetta. It is bizar that one of the instigators of this motion to get rid of the present union leadership is himself an old union president, who has in the eighties battled higher management before ( In which at the end of the day only some brave expats lost their job!!!! ) and he himself almost ended up in serious trouble with LKY. He then , in true SQ style, turned the corner and became a very influential Deputee Dir Flt Ops , now on the other side of the table of the same union he once lead. A few months ago he resigned from his management job ( or got kicked out by the present generals) and is now one of the instigators of this conflict. ( Offering his help to the pilot body as it is called ) I hope that the younger generation pilots wake up and start thinking real hard if this is the right way to tackle their problems. They have to show a united front, not being bullied by governement , generals , or above mentioned ex union presidents, but come up with strong leadership out of their own group . Sadly I believe that, as I said before, nobody is hungry enough to take the bite!!
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Hi everyone,
I received the latest mail on the matter this morning.Please see below. John Barnes' reference to what happened in the eighties has also being alluded to by Singapore's DPM. The pressure must be immense for the pilot union. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../59506/1/.html SIA pilots should rethink their confrontational approach: DPM Lee By Channel NewsAsia's Teo Chia Leen in Wellington, New Zealand WELLINGTON, New Zealand: Recent move by SIA pilots to vote out union leaders whom they felt had let them down, is a confrontational approach which could undermine tripartite relations. Speaking to reporters at in a wrap-up news conference in New Zealand, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: "The health of the company is critical not only to their well being but to the well being of Singapore and the company has to look after its interest and at the same time, look after its staff. But it has to be fair and do its responsibility as an employer and the unions have to know how to work with the company in order to safeguard the workers. "I think the deal which the union leaders made earlier which had wage restructuring and wage cuts but at the same time formula and restoration and profit sharing beyond a certain point - that was a very fair deal. And well if now, things have turned out better there's a profit share arrangement which will kick in at some point. So I don't think there's a reason to rethink what was agreed earlier. But as Ng Eng Hen said the pilots, the leaders of this group have to think very carefully, do they really want to take on the government? "The last time where there was a run in 1980 between the pilots and SIA and at that time the PM stepped in. He was speaking to the pilots union and he said 'I don't want to do you in but I don't want let anybody do Singapore in' and I still think it's a valid message." DPM Lee is the latest Cabinet Minister to warn union leaders of Singapore Airlines to re-think their confrontational approach to labour relations. But DPM Lee stressed that on the whole, the government's relations with unions are very good. He also touched on the issue of whether retrenchment benefits in Singapore are too generous. The tripartite committee comprising unions, the government and companies last reviewed them some years ago but the economic downturn has raised the question again. "Lim Boon Heng has expressed the view and which I agree that they are still rather generous and if we want to change them further it will have to (be) another tripartite discussion to see if we can go further. It's symbolically important. Practically the impact is not, maybe not so huge because nowadays not so many workers will be working for 15-20 years for the same employer." "But psychologically it has an impact on employers because they look at it and say, 'Wow! The chap works with me so many years, it's such a generous benefit he expects from the company,' and it will be a disincentive for people to hire. Because when you hire you must calculate that when you retrench, what the expenses are," said Mr Lee. Companies usually offer a month for every year year of service. But with the possibility of lowering the ceiling on the years of service, the amount of retrenchment benefits to a worker would be substantially reduced. As a comparison, Mr Lee noted that countries which have made it the hardest to retrench workers, have the highest unemployment rates. Said DPM Lee: "The countries that make it the most difficult to retrench workers have the highest unemployment rates. Germany is the best example. In Germany they rule that when you retrench workers, you must retrench the cheapest workers first, last in first out so the youngest workers - those with no family obligations, go. "Those with family obligations and highest seniority go last so there's no point retrenching. If you retrench cheap workers and you end up increasing your wage costs, the conclusion is that companies refuse to hire and the unemployment rate is 9 or 10 per cent and then the growth of companies is over and the economy stagnates." - CNA |
Yet More Warnings....drum roll please....
Freddie and the Chrome Dome - you're in the news again...
Is this a the sign of a classic pincer strategy? No comments from the powers that be for a couple of days then now a double volley to bring in the weekend? http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../59546/1/.html Unions in Singapore are not like houses on different streets. Rather, they are more like co-passengers on the same ship or families living under the same roof and in the same compound. Hence, how one union behaves will affect other unions and ultimately all Singaporeans. This analogy was given by Acting Minister for Manpower, Dr Ng Eng Hean, to drive home the message that the government is bent on maintaining and preserving industrial peace. Speaking at the 39th anniversary dinner and dance of the Food, Drinks & Allied Workers' Union (FDAWU) on Friday, Dr Ng said it would have been easy for union members to insist on their rights and make more demands. "You too have mouths to feed and bills to pay. It would 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 lay-offs and unpaid leave. Even now, some of you may blame your leaders for giving-in too easily. Worst still, a union can boot out its leaders and pass a resolution to demand fresh elections so that 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," added Dr Ng. Earlier, Dr Ng commended the contributions and sacrifices made by FDAWU members during the SARS crisis to help the hotels save jobs. "I was told that from April to September 2003, 11,019 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 savings for their employers." He also applauded FDAWU leadership in encouraging their members and hotel workers to go for skills upgrading and retraining. Looking back, he added, the quick action and cooperation extended by FDAWU to the hotel have helped in ensuring a smooth recovery for the hotel industry. Dr Ng also said FDAWU's actions serve as an example of how responsible unions can achieve better long-term outcomes for its members by working within the 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," he stressed. While Singapore's economic recovery is gaining ground, Dr Ng warned that no one should be over confident to think that there won't be 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," he said. |
Internal politics in Singapore pilot's union?
Hi folks,
I received this in the evening's mail,giving the latest report on this issue. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sto...22508,00.html? NOV 29, 2003 Shades of 1980 in pilot-union action Conspiracy theories abound, with some pilots saying internal politics to blame; finger pointed at former union leaders By Rebecca Lee TRANSPORT REPORTER INTERNAL politics could have been a factor in the wholesale ouster of the Singapore Airlines pilots' union leadership, suggested members of the union. It was not just that members of the Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore (Alpa-S) turfed out the entire executive committee for being too 'soft' on SIA's management when they wanted a tougher stance. Conspiracy theories abound. Five pilots, including two from the ousted committee, say political infighting led to the 22-member committee being voted out at an extraordinary general meeting on Nov 17. One of the ousted leaders and a former committee member both suggested previous leaders of Alpa-S may have swayed the vote. There are even some who see the influence of pilots once involved in the SIA Pilots' Association (Siapa), the now defunct pilots' union. Siapa was dissolved by the Government in early 1981 after Australian pilots led a work-to-rule that disrupted several flights in a month, all on high-visibility international routes. Now, pilots in management positions and others say Captain Ryan Goh, one of the 22 ousted committee members, helped draft the petition calling for the extraordinary general meeting, although he did not sign it. Capt Goh is now on holiday in Australia. When contacted by the Straits Times earlier in the week, he said he did not sign the petition, but would not be drawn into saying who had drafted it. Asked why Alpa-S members initiated the no-confidence motion, he said it was part of the democratic process 'to reconstitute and recharge the team' and was not 'a rebellion or revolt'. No nominations for the new committee have yet been received, The Straits Times understands. But last-minute nominations are not unusual. Nominations for president close on Tuesday, and for committee members on Friday. There are several contenders for president. Capt Goh has been an Alpa-S member since the start. At one point, he served as vice-president for industrial relations. Asked if he would run again, he said: 'If my services are required, why not?' Captain Mok Hin Choon, Alpa-S president from 1999 to 2000, has already told the pilots he intends to run for president again. There were problems in the leadership during his time at the helm and he quit before his three-year term was up to force elections and get a fresh mandate, but was not re-elected. Another contender could be Captain Freddie Koh, one-time president of Siapa and the first president of Alpa-S. As a one-time assistant director of flight operations, he would have wide influence among the pilots and there had been talk that he could have influenced them to boot out the committee. The pilots interviewed say Capt Koh commands a lot of respect, especially among the more senior pilots who respect him for the way he fought for them in the early years. He is seen as someone who will stand up for them. But a senior pilot said that Capt Koh, who had moved to management but is now back piloting Boeing 777 aircraft, sounded neutral when he stood up to ask questions at the EGM. SIA's pilots have received flak from Acting Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen, Mr Lim Boon Heng, a minister in the Prime Minister's Office, and Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Mr Ng has told the pilots he will not allow their 'confrontational' approach to jeopardise harmonious industrial relations here. Yesterday, a 25-year veteran who served on the committee for nearly 10 years said he felt sorry that the union had been split by this issue. 'I feel they should not be throwing the exco out. Although it is constitutionally right, it is not right morally,' he said. |
More sabre rattling...
Govt's intervention in issue of SIA pilots' union to improve relationship
29 November 2003 2315 hrs (SST) http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../59671/1/.html SINGAPORE: The Acting Manpower Minister says he'll speak to both SIA's management and the pilots' union to get them to understand what has gone wrong in their relationship and to work together for the future. Dr Ng Eng Hen said the government's intervention in the issue is to try to improve their relationship. He was speaking to reporters after a cultural night at the Toa Payoh South community club on Saturday evening. "Enough has been said by many Ministers to send a very clear message to the pilots' union that the path that they are on now, the path which they have over the many years been used to, will lead to a lot of difficulty. A lot of difficulty for themselves, for the company and eventually affect all of us. The intervention is really on the course that the whole pilots' union is taking. We will have to, and the purpose of the intervention is to try to improve the relationship. "And yes, we'd have to deal with the management and the pilots' union. But one piece at a time, currently the message is to both parties. I've spoken to management, I'm now also speaking to the pilots' union, and I hope that both sides will examine how their relationships have gone wrong in the past and try to seriously consider which new direction they want to take," said Dr Ng. - CNA |
"and the purpose of the intervention is to try to improve the relationship. "
Here's an example from Cathay: From the Business Times of Singapore Published November 29, 2003 Cathay Pacific staff get 3 weeks' salary plus bonus By VEN SREENIVASAN CATHAY Pacific's staff cheered last Friday as the airline announced that it would be paying them an ex-gratia sum amounting to three weeks' salary this month. The payment virtually covers the entire three weeks of unpaid leave its worldwide staff voluntarily took during the Sars-induced crisis. Asia's 6th biggest carrier is also paying its 121 Singapore-based staff a 1.5 month year-end bonus. The airline cut capacity by as much as 45 per cent and suffered losses of US$3 million a day at the height of the severe acute respiratory syndrome pandemic in the April-June period. Cathay Pacific had asked its staff to take 4 weeks of voluntary unpaid leave. Over 99 per cent of its staff agreed. However, a quick industry recovery which kicked in in July enabled this unpaid leave to be cut to just 3 weeks. Unlike most other Sars-hit regional carriers, including Singapore Airlines, Cathay did not implement wage cuts for its 14,500 staff worldwide. Cathay's Singapore country manager James Ginns described the payment as the company's way of recognising the sacrifice made by its staff during tough times. 'The ex-gratia payment is in appreciation of the support by staff around the world when the company was faced with a crisis,' he said. Cathay reported a record first-half loss of HK$1.24 billion. But the post-Sars recovery has been swift and strong, and analysts expect Cathay to post full-year profit of almost HK$1 billion. The airline is now filling 75 per cent of its seats, compared with 25 per cent during the peak of the Sars outbreak. Last month it carried 1.02 million passengers, up from 951,703 in September. It has also been recruiting staff and upgrading its fleet. In a separate development, Cathay has asked CIAS to handle its line maintenance and cargo handling function, which was previously handled by Sats. But Sats still handles Cathay's ramp operations, catering and security. Cathay has also taken over its own mechanical maintenance and passenger handling in Singapore. |
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 |
Well, what a contrast between SIA & Cathay! One thinks the staff are part of the team while the other thinks the staff are on the other team. SIA will never 'Get it'
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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 |
Signs of future past.
"This is your Hauptsturmführer speaking." |
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 |
Looks like this topic is getting hotter.
With the intervention of Singapore’s government, it defeats purpose of union. |
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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mooney59
Have you wandered through the wrong door here? We're talking about SQ on this thread, not CX! |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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 |
sq111 you quoting Lee K.Y. 2003 or R.J. Hawke 1989? Sorry but I cant seem to find any diference.
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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? |
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. |
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 |
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. |
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 |
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. |
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. |
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