AUSBE Newsletter Feb 2013

Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees February 2013

MICA(P) 121/03/2012

AUSBE LM2015 Workplan

By NTUC SIRO Ng Yanli Members of AUSBE Executive Council travelled to Siem Reap, Cambodia, between 23 and 26 August 2012 to work out new action plans to propel the Union forward, specifically in - Expanding the representation of Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs) - Growing AUSBE membership to 8,000 and - Increasing the management’s recognition of union work.

The leaders concluded that they want AUSBE to be “an inclusive, cohesive and relevant union for its members; and a strategic and equal partner of the Statutory Boards’ managements” and are all excited about the Union’s bright future. >>> Pg 2

Contents Pg 2 Pg 3 Pg 4 Pg 5

U Live Club Launch for AUSBE PME Engagement @ HPB Visit to MINDSVille @ Napiri

Getting Pointers on Increasing Employability

Better Hospitalisation Benefit

Pg 6 To the Kelongs for Food and

Durians!

Pg 7 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT

SIGNING FOR AVA & IPOS

Pg 8 AUSBE-LTA Branch Family Day

@ Wild Wild Wet

(continued from page 1) Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs) There are more PMEs in our workforce and some executives of yesteryear have become rank-and-file workers today. PMEs, like any employees, have many needs in the areas of workplace protection, social and recreational aspects. Recognising these needs, AUSBE has been successfully negotiating for PMEs to be covered under the respective branches’ collective agreements. To ensure that AUSBE continues to be in tune with the needs of PMEs, the union will work towards attracting PMEs to take up leadership positions in the branches.

Growing the AUSBE Family To reach out to more members, especially PMEs, AUSBE has been

organising on-site recruitment roadshows and conducting introductory talks during new staff’s orientation, sports, and events such as bowling and day trips. The Union will continue stepping up efforts in these areas, and explore disseminating monthly e-updates on the union’s events and promotions, hold regular dialogues with members, simplifying the application process to become a union member, and facilitating online sign-ups.

Recognition of Union Work Union officials are often the unsung heros at the workplace. They volunteer to be their fellow co-workers’ spokespersons, work tirelessly to champion for better terms and conditions, help aggrieved members resolve workplace issues, apply for assistance vouchers for

needy members and more. By being the voice of the workers, they are helping the management to improve the organisation and working environments. Although union officials serve out of passion, it will be an affirmative pat on their back if their efforts are officially recognised during the annual performance appraisal.

LM2015 Vision The Executive Council deliberated on the NTUC’s LM2015 workplan and how AUSBE could contribute in achieving Better Jobs for All, Tripartism for All and Union for All. Suggestions were made to strengthen bipartism, create advantages for members’ positive feedback at their workplace, and to build a healthy pipeline of committed and knowledgeable union leaders.

U Live Club Launch for AUSBE

By AUSBE Assistant General Secretary Manjet Singh Some 60 guests comprising Executive Council members, Branch Committee members and key personnel attended the launch of AUSBE’s U Live Club on 23 October 2012. While enjoying a sumptuous buffet dinner, President Daniel Lai gave an opening speech, followed by Senior Managers from NTUC U Live, Mr Kevin Chandra and Mr Sri Isrinah who introduced the U Live Club.

Brother Ravin Rai from NTUC U Live Club elaborated on the programmes under the U Live banner, and was followed by a re-employment presentation by Brother Ivan Lim who updated participants on the guidelines of re-employment. Light-hearted moments followed as everyone enjoyed tunes from a Ukelele performance that brought back familiar tunes from the 1970s and 80s. A lucky dip was drawn

by President Lai, and eight winners walked away with attractive prizes. An appreciation gift was presented to HIRO Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari for his valued contributions to AUSBE.

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The night rounded off with thanks to U Live partners and AUSBE personnel who were present, and special thanks was given to Sister Clara Ng for organising the event.

PME Engagement @ HPB

By AUSBE ExCo Member Tan Chor Khim

“Why is it necessary to distinguish income in the Employment Act?” “Why are contract workers given so little time to find out that their contracts aren’t renewed?”

These are just some of the exciting topics and lively conversations that went on in the Health Promotion Board (HPB) Auditorium on 20 November between 139 enthusiastic employees and Mr Patrick Tay, Director of NTUC Legal Services Department and PME (Professionals, Managers and Executives) Unit.

There is a growing number of PMEs in our workforce, yet there is little integration or knowledge of the work of the Union. To reach out to more PMEs and bridge the gap with them, AUSBE-HPB Branch explored and conceptualised an engagement session with NTUC’s PME Unit.

To kick off the session, Brother Patrick Tay shared the Labour Movement’s wish list of changes to be made in the Employment Act (EA). He elaborated on main areas in the EA affecting PMEs: • Extend the coverage to include PMEs • Eradicate distinction between workman and nonworkman • The Labour Movement is proposing enhancing other areas of protection for workers, such as better protection for outsourced workers and short-term contract staff.

AUSBE General Secretary Brother Singam and HPB Branch Chairperson Sister Chor Khim were present to address some questions from the audience during the Question & Answer segment. Participants were introduced the Workplace Advisory Mobile App, the latest digital tool to empower and educate PMEs about work-related matters such as: • Professional advice from experts and industry veterans • Job opportunities and industry-related news For union members who have downloaded the app, they will enjoy full-access workplace advisory resources. Features of the mobile application include FAQs for common workplace issues such as breach of contract and maternity rights, and reading content such as the “Workplace Rights for the Busy Executive”. Participants were given a live demonstration on how to download and utilise the application. Overall, it was a delightful win-win experience for all, and more of such sessions in future could continue to engage and promote the presence of the Union at workplaces.

The workplace advisory mobile app is available for download on your iPhone & Android smartphones

“I am happy to see so many PMEs attending this session, and I’m heartened by the many thoughtful questions and sharing by those who attended. Much kudos to the HPB branch for organising this session to reach out to PME staff and members.” - NTUC Legal Services Department and PME Unit Director, Mr Patrick Tay “I appreciate attending this session because it has helped me to understand how our union is working hard behind the scenes to help the PMEs. For example, we currently cannot take medical leave for pre-existing illness, but I’m glad to know the union is negotiating to improve this, so that workers can take better care of their health.” - Health Surveillance and Information Department Manager, Ms Mathia Lee

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Visit to MINDSville @ Napiri

By LTA Branch Committee Member Chua Onn Pheng

On the morning of 15 September 2012, a group of AUSBE ExCo and Branch Committee members gathered in the union office all excited to visit the residents of MINDSVille @ Napiri, a multi-service centre run by the Movement for the Intellectually Disable of Singapore (MINDS).

The annual visit, organised by Deputy General Secretary Sister Lai Meng, saw the union donating a total of $1,040 and 10 boxes of used clothing, gathered from individual AUSBE members. In addition, residents from the Teck Ghee Constituency contributed toothbrushes, soaps, biscuits, milk powder and a used wheelchair.

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Brother Mahesh invited four members from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) Band to perform some songs for the enjoyment of residents and staff. Our Brothers, AUSBE President Daniel Lai and Vice President Haridass were received with a boisterous welcome. We were led to the hall, where residents were seated in rows, patiently awaiting for the performance to kick off. As soon as the music began playing, many started dancing and clapping, while others sat and quietly enjoyed the show. The staff spontaneously went on stage to sing

a few numbers. It was indeed a heartwarming sight.

Brother Lai presented the cash and $500 worth of groceries to Sister Sridevi, an Occupational Therapist from the centre.

The visit came to an end after a tour around the facilities and everyone was grateful to spend such a meaningful day.

Getting Pointers on Increasing Employability The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Employment Employability Committee (EEC) is tasked to deal with employability issues in Singapore. By organising a learning journey to Hong Kong from 16 to 19 October 2012, some 102 union representatives had the opportunity to observe how Hong Kong enhances the employability of their workers and identified appropriate productivity initiatives that could be implemented in Singapore.

The four organisations in Hong Kong visited were the Employees Retraining Board, Hong Kong Hotels Association, The Langham Hotel Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, and the Hong Kong Disney Institute.

Improved Healthcare Benefit Members are now taken better care of as the AUSBE Welfare Hospitalisation Benefits claim has been revised from $35 to $40 per day.

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To the Kelongs for Food and Durians!

By AUSBE ExCo Member Clara Ng

Fishing villages and cheap food – these are the things that Kukup town in Pontian, Johor Bahru, is known for.

That is also where AUSBE members had a treat as they made a leisurely day trip to the small town on a weekend.

As four buses of members arrived in Johor for breakfast, many observed the pineapple plantations that have given way to palm oil plantations.

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The entourage continued their tour to Kukup town where they boarded ferries that brought them to the fishing villages on water (kelong). There, they saw how fishes were bred and purchased locally made tidbits. The group returned to land and had a sumptuous seafood lunch before having some free and

easy time to explore the area. They could not miss trying out the ‘King of Fruits’, durian, from the roadside stalls to savour the great delight. Members rounded off their day with a shopping trip to two retail outlets and headed back to Singapore with a full belly and their shopping loots.

Collective Agreement Signing for AVA & IPOS AVA and AUSBE renewed its Collective Agreement on 28 December 2012, reaffirming its commitment to providing the best for its members.

From Left to Right: Branch Chairman Mr Lawrence Chong,Executive Secretary Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, President Mr Daniel Lai, CEO Ms Tan Poh Hong, Director Ms Joyce Ng

President Mr Daniel Lai & CEO Ms Tan Poh Hong signing the CA.

The Collective Agreement signing between AUSBE and IPOS took place on 3 January 2013, and highlighted the importance of medical insurance for members.

From Left to Right: Director, Human Capital Department Mr Woo Yew Chung ,Chief Executive Mr Tan Yih San, General Secretary Mr Singam and Executive Secretary Mr Yeo Guat Kwang

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AUSBE-LTA Branch Family Day @ Wild Wild Wet

By LTA Branch Committee Member Linda Wong

A hot and sunny Saturday at Downtown East was a day of fun and enjoyment for 258 members and their family members as they took part in the AUSBE-LTA family day, at the Wild Wild Wet theme park located in Downtown East.

Members and their families streamed into the theme park in the morning, filled with excitement and all ready to enjoy the water in their swimming costumes. The children enjoyed free beautiful balloon sculptures, sand art, and had ice-cream and popcorn to keep themselves entertained.

Most of the fun and action happened at the tsunami wave pool, where members and their families formed four teams to participate in the water games. They were encouraged to strategise and plan on how to win each game, and help their team to score as many points as possible. The day ended with a dance performance and a lucky draw after the announcement of the winning team of the telematch games.

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