The SMRT bus drivers have asked to revert to the old terms of service, rather than the adjusted salaries and longer working hours. It is strange that the changes, which was supposed to be improvement to the old terms of service, are now perceived to be less favorable to the workers.
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2012/08/smrt-bus-drivers-appeal-to-union-chief-lim-swee-say/
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2012/08/smrt-bus-drivers-appeal-to-union-chief-lim-swee-say/
It's the pretence behind that is hypocritical.
ReplyDeleteSMRT wan the drivers compensate the Company for the higher pay, maybe the drivers value family time more than the minuscule higher adjustment.
Not worth it.
Big headache for SMRT, how to find half of the 800X2 (2 shifts/bus) drivers to operate an extra 800 buses, subsidized by the Govt. Yet they still wan to shortchange their own drivers, their most precious resources to make money for them. Who wan to work for a stingy employer.
How shortsighted could they get. This Company never change, and they said the loss making bus service must stay, being complementary to their rail system.
So stingy, just scrap the service, it's loss making right.
Unionists and management are responsible for this.
ReplyDeleteThe proposals was marketed to the members ( employees ) as some wonderful plan that would improve their earnings and their quality of life. The marketing would probably be done by the unionists, shop stewards.
In the process, the management would be presented as a very caring group of managers that was thoughtful of the staff's welfare ( whatever that means ).
The package was based on "higher pay". The sting was that the staff would need to work longer hours. Higher pay was presented as monthly, weekly increases.
But you see, the mother or $1 million is 1 cent.
The mother of pay increases is the hour rate.
Take care of hourly rates and weekly, monthly, annual pay falls into place.
The British knew it way back when they short changed everyone on 52 weeks a year. Thats why we have "13 month" pay... and managers know very well.. with unionists too.
Its always presented as a "bonus".
Managers are managers because they are paid to earn money and save money. In the process, they learn to present and market terms and policies to hoodwink and twist.
Never ever believe managers... check, recheck everything. For that matter check and recheck the unionists too, they are partners in the scheme. Stick to hourly rates, and rest periods must never ever be compromised.. there is only 24 hours a day. But managers will have you believe that there is 72.
For the SMRT drivers, I doubt there will be any changes till the next collective agreement.
The time has come for unionists to stand up for their members, to negotiate for pay and benefits that is relative to this time.
ReplyDeleteIt cannot always be for the sake of the company. The company will survive. The worker will not.
When the economy is not doing well, we are asked to tighten our belts and save our own jobs by forgoing wage increases or suspension of increments or benefits.
Workers must realise that loyalty is no longer a virtue to companies. In fact they view it entirely as a cost!
They can get cheaper workers anytime!
That being the case, workers should negotiate for higher wages at every opportunity. Getting benefits in kind is useless. If retrenchments is decided, your benefits will evaporate.
Always ask for higher wages.
Medical portability is for the government to create a framework. Not for unions.
Never be blinded by offers for profit sharing or more annual leave. If it is offered, look for the real intentions. You'll be shocked.
This would be very funny if I were not a Singaporean.
ReplyDeleteIf the bus drivers have to be their own negotiators,
Then what's the current bus union leaders doing?
Am I exaggerating?
Or am I seeing failures to communicate throughout the length and breadth of Singapore?
Boss of Govt = PM Lee = PAP
ReplyDeleteBoss of NTUC = L S Say = PAP
Boss of SNEF = Stephen = Pro PAP
Boss of MOM = Gan Kim Yong = PAP
"The time has come for unionists to stand up for their members, to negotiate for pay and benefits that is relative to this time."
Transport Workers' Union (NTWU)is under the umbrella NTUC. NTUC is under PAP. SMRT also belongs to Govt.
See http://ifonlysingaporeans.blogspot.sg/2012/05/union-explains-smrts-new-pay-framework.html. NTWU explain in their Blog on "shorter working hours every day under a six-day week, they now accumulate overtime every day"
Say all you want, do the drivers have a choice? All they need to do is work an extra day, work more overtime then get more money. Simple maths. How about family life? Minister no need to work long hours as pay at least $62,000 a month. As for manual workers, work more hours to have extra few hundred dollars sacrificing family hours...
This shows that S'porean are not daft. It shows that they are not sincere in trying to address the income gap problem.
ReplyDeleteWhat a disappointment!
So is there a union representing these bus drivers?
ReplyDeleteWhat do I think?
Better not say it loud!
If this happens in other countries there will be a strike by the bus drivers. But alas we do not have much worker rights here.
ReplyDelete