All Collars

MANUAL WORKERS,
EG PRODUCTION OPERATORS AND TECHNICIANS
Nirmala Jone , QC technician in a company that manufactures chip resistors. she has worked there for 20 years, and been a member of United Workers of electronic and electrical Industries for as many years.

"When a staff gets a warning letter, the union will counsel the staff and try to mediate the management and the staff. I have seen this happen a few times. The staff gets to keep his job, and the company retains a staff who will contribute more effectively. I see the union at work every day."

OFFICE WORKERS,
EG ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Ang Thian Guan, 55, Clerk, in a local bank. He has worked there for 33 years, and been a Singapore bank employees' Union member for 30 years.

"Whichever NTUC-related outlet I visit, I get special treatment - discounts and benefits above what other customers get. At the end of the day, I have savings to spend elsewhere."

CONTRACT WORKERS
Phang Poh Chee, 46, Contract Cleaner. She was not paid her January and February 2006 wages and was transferred to the company that took over the contract work. She has just found a new job, to clean Nanyang Technological University.

"I wish I have union protection, a powerful organization to fight for my rights. My family's life was turned upside down when I didn't get paid. I hope, when a union is formed to protect contract workers, the monthly fee will be much less than $9."

PROFESSIONAL/KNOWLEDGE WORKERS,
EG IT CONSULTANTS
Tan Poh Hong, 47, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, HDB. she has been a member of HDB staff Union for 8 years.

"Joining the union will give workers a collective voice, especially when it comes to improving working conditions and enhancing rewards. This will contribute to the overall benefit for workers. I would encourage all workers to join the union ˆ executives and senior managers, too. There are many activities that will give occasions for interaction, and this will give all of us the chance to get to know each other better."

OLDER WORKERS
Ho Thian Chye, 62, joined PUB in 1962 as a Water Joiter. In a newly created role for those who can work beyond retirement, Mr Ho leads a team to patrol and survey the catchment areas. Mr Ho has been a union member for 42 years.

"I had always thought that retiring, at whatever age, was a waste when one was still fit and healthy and capable of continuing to do salaried work. NTUC has been persuading employers to look into possible employment for older workers, and I am glad that my company has decided to take heed and create jobs for older workers like myself."

All Nationalities

"It's great to learn that the labour movement wants to do more for my family. I can imagine my children joining other children their age to do a life science project just for the fun of it."

- Suresh Kumar, came from India.
Mechanical Technician; union member for 13 years.

"Will there be U Shoot, an interest group for photography, just as there's U Travel for holidaymakers and U Movies for film buffs? It will be exciting to be part of a group travelling to the Niagara Falls or Antarctica just to shoot pictures."  

- Lim Seong Teik, came from Malaysia.
Professional Photographer; joined the union recently.

All Age Groups