TWENTY-SIX years have passed since the last workers' strike in Singapore, but Mr Ong Yen Her remembers it well.
'The strike was very significant... it changed the perception that strikes are not permitted in Singapore,' Mr Ong told The Straits Times.
On Jan2, 1986, 61 workers from American oilfield equipment company Hydril punched in for work at their Gul Circle factory after the New Year public holiday. But instead of starting work, they walked out and picketed outside the factory, ending a nine-year spell in which Singapore was free from strikes.
Three days earlier, on Dec30, 1985, they had taken a vote at their union office - the Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Employees Union - and had decided unanimously on a walkout after the New Year to protest against anti-union activities by the company.
Mr Ong, who was then director of labour relations in the Labour Ministry, was called in to mediate between the union and the company.
He was a newly minted director. It had been barely a year since he returned to the ministry after serving a six-year stint as head of industrial relations in the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).
He remembers the strong emotions among the workers. 'They felt aggrieved with the unfair dismissal of several union leaders.'
In the run-up to the strike, the company axed six union leaders because they were allegedly unproductive.
Both unionists and company executives turned up at the Labour Ministry for talks, but they were holed up separately while Mr Ong shuttled between them.
He recalls not being able to sew up a deal on the spot because the company executives 'had to get approval from their Houston HQ'.
The company eventually agreed to reinstate a union leader and compensate the rest. The workers called off their strike on Jan 4.
When asked for his thoughts on the walkout, Mr Ong said: 'The union's action was drastic but justified, because the workers felt victimised.'
He was, however, quick to add that he does not advocate industrial action.
After resolving the strike, Mr Ong went on to helm the ministry's industrial relations team for another 25 years. He retired after turning 64 last year and has since been re-employed in a mentoring role.
The NTUC credits Mr Ong's 'sense of diplomacy' and 'quick response' for ending the two-day Hydril strike.
It added in a citation: 'Under his strong leadership, Singapore has enjoyed a strike-free industrial relations climate since 1986.'
Mr Ong, in his typical straight-talking manner, downplayed his contributions.
He gave four reasons why Singapore remained strike-free. They are: the legal framework allows disputes to be resolved; the unions are constructive and responsible; companies have become more 'enlightened'; and the strong three-way partnership between employers, the NTUC and the Government at the national level.
http://justice4workerssingapore.blogspot.sg/2012/04/civil-servant-who-sorted-out-singapores.html
Is this some kind of sick joke ?
:o
