THE SINGAPORE a newsletter of the singapore port workers union SEP-DEC 2016 www.spwu.org.sg CONTENTS 2 CELEBRATING 70TH ANNIVERSARY 4 NEW WELFARE SCHEMES 6 SPWU STUDY AWARDS
SPWU CELEBRATES 70 YEARS AND MORE S PWU s 70th anniversary was met with much fanfare. About 680 members joined Guest-of-Honour and Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan, and the SPWU Executive Council in celebrating the union s history and progress on 14 October. At the dinner event, which was held at Fairmont Hotel at the Raffles City Convention Centre, Mr Khaw highlighted the need to develop and upskill manpower in the face of increased deployment of automation and integrated smart systems. Echoing his sentiments, SPWU President Joseph Wang urged workers, union officials, and management partners alike to embrace the rapid breakthroughs in digital and robotic technologies. He added that the union should continue to stay connected to the ground, understand the difficulties and problems faced by our workers, and work closely with Management partners to tackle them. 2 SPWU
SPWU s Journey With the port of Singapore being the cornerstone of Singapore s economy, the Singapore Harbour Board Staff Association (SHBSA) became the first union to be officially registered under the 1940 Trade Unions Ordinance, on 18 October 1946, and played a pivotal role in the nation s social, economic and political development. SHBSA came a long way as a fledgling union in the immediate post-war years and through the turbulent 1950s and early 60s. As the number of members grew, so did the union s representation of port workers in bread-and-butter issues like wage negotiations and better working conditions. The association was renamed the Singapore Port Workers Union (SPWU) in 1968. In line with the importance of maintaining strong tripartite ties, PSA Group Chairman Fock Siew Wah and former SPWU Advisor Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee received the Distinguished Friend of SPWU awards for their significant contributions to foster good labour management relations and welfare of workers. Other activities for the evening involved an entertaining dance performance jointly organised by SPWU, Metal Industries Workers Union and PSA Human Resource partners; a joyous cake-cutting ceremony and group toast; and a lucky draw which saw 50 winners walking away with attractive prizes. Following its renaming to SPWU, the union expanded its membership base from PSA staff to include contract workers under supplier companies, NTS workers, and workers from other branch companies. As of 13 October 2016, its current membership figure stands at about 8,900. Today, SPWU and PSA work hand-in-hand to support the port s growth and transformation. The strong relationship between both has enabled the union to weather many storms and to stay ahead of the competition. SPWU 3
NEW SCHEMES ROLLED OUT In conjunction with the union s 70th anniversary, the Special Relief Grant and Special Education Grant for members were launched. Both schemes aim to financially enable members children to continue their education. On 27 October, cheques for the Special Relief Grant and Special Education Grant were issued to three members at $2,000 per member and five members at $1,000 per member respectively. Special Relief Grant To provide financial relief in cases of hardship, such as sudden involuntary loss of income or sudden death, chronic and/or prolonged illness (at least six months) of member or member s immediate family. Capped at $2,000 per member Special Education Grant To encourage and support members children with special needs Capped at $1,000 per member NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION On 18 August, Guest-of-Honour and Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and MP for Sembawang GRC Mr Ong Ye Kung joined SPWU and PSA in celebrating Singapore s 51st birthday at the PSA-organised National Day Observance Ceremony (NDOC). At the Function Hall of Pasir Panjang Terminal Building 3, the representatives showed their patriotism by singing the National Anthem and reciting the pledge proudly. The National Day theme, Building Our Singapore of Tomorrow, marked the beginning of the nation s journey towards 100 years of independence. 4 SPWU
EMBRACING CHANGES TOWARDS A BRIGHTER FUTURE On 27 July, approximately 180 representatives from SPWU, PSA Corporation Limited, PSA Marine (Pte) Ltd (PSAM), Port Officers' Union, Ministry of Manpower and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore turned up in full force at the Orchid Country Club for the SPWU Delegates Seminar 2016. There were speeches by PSA Group CEO Tan Chong Meng and Regional CEO Southeast Asia Ong Kim Pong on the theme of the seminar, "Embracing Changes Towards a Brighter Future". The delegates, together with tripartite partners, held focus group discussions on two key topics, "Health and Wellness" and "Smell of Our Place". Delegates also had an engaging panel dialogue session, which included PSA Group Chairman Fock Siew Wah, Mr Tan Chong Meng, Mr Ong Kim Pong, and Advisors Ong Chin Ang and Ang Wei Neng. SPWU 5
RECOGNISING OUR CHILDREN S EFFORTS For 44 students, their hard work and dedication to their studies paid off when they were chosen as recipients of the SPWU Study Awards and Achievers Awards. Thunderous applause greeted them as they walked up on stage to receive their awards. Guest-of-Honour and PSA Regional CEO Southeast Asia Ong Kim Pong, together with special guest and former SPWU Advisor Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, gave out awards totalling $33,500 to the students at the SPWU Study Awards Presentation ceremony, which was hosted on 17 November at PSA Club. This is also the first time that the Achievers Awards, which reward union members children for their outstanding academic performances, are being presented. Each Primary, Secondary, Institute of Technical Education, Polytechnic and University student received $500, $1000, $1500, $2000 and $3000 respectively. The overall amount came up to $17,500. This is my fourth time receiving the Study Award, which has been a tremendous help in covering my schooling expenses and transport and miscellaneous fees. My brother also received the award when he was in Polytechnic. Since I come from a family of six and tertiary education costs a bomb, I m extremely grateful to the union for relieving our financial difficulty. Irfana Begum Shaik Fareed, daughter of Ms Salmah Hassan, OA, TOBD 6 SPWU
I feel happy and excited because I made my parents proud. The Achievers Award is a good motivating factor for me to do well and receive more prizes. Kumareswaran Lakshan, son of Mr Boologanathan Kumareswaran, STS2/FMD, PSAM First and foremost, I am very honoured as it shows that SPWU recognises our achievements and the effort we put into our studies. In taking care of my family s financial concerns, the Achievers Award has enabled me to pursue my dream of doing social work and making a difference to the community. Joscelin Ong Jia Xin, daughter of Mr Ong Soon, SR CES(YC)/KT It s a privilege and a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to be one of the recipients of the Study Award. It makes me feel like all my hard work was worth it. Shariff Riduanni Mohamad Said, son of Mr Mohamad Said Ismail, CES(YC)/TPT SPWU 7
YOUNG SPWU BOWLING CHALLENGE 2016 The Young SPWU Bowling Challenge 2016, which was hosted at Changi Civil Service Club on 24 September, was attended by some 40 SPWU and Metal Industries Workers Union members. Amid much excitement, a total of 10 teams worked the lanes and competed with each other for the championship trophies. The event facilitated the forging of new friendships and reaffirmation of existing ties between the two unions. HEARTFELT APPRECIATION FOR NTS WORKERS They toil for Singapore s sake, yet the work of foreign migrant workers from non-traditional sources (NTS) countries often go unnoticed. The once-a-year Integration Day for migrant workers is part of PSA Management s efforts to acknowledge the workers contributions to the nation s economy and to encourage their integration into society. This year s carnival-themed event took place on 30 August at Brani Residence and aimed to engage NTS workers. Besides taking part in various fun-filled activities such as snapping candid shots at a personalised photo booth and enjoying free flow of ice cream, the workers also showcased their talents to the crowd via entertaining performances. 8 SPWU