By George Soriano
After several months of extensive discussions, the Attractions, Resorts and Entertainment Union (AREU) and Marina Bay Sands (MBS) finally sealed their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 29 October 2013.
Bound by the common objective of ensuring and promoting the welfare and well-being of workers, the MOU signifies a new chapter for AREU and MBS, as both parties enter into a consultative and progressive partnership.
Under the MOU, 7,500 MBS employees will be offered general branch membership, which seeks to provide them with individual workplace representation as well as enhanced social and recreational benefits. As a show of commitment, MBS will be paying general branch membership fees for employees who decide to join the union.
Speaking at the MOU signing itself, AREU President, Mr.Hassan Adbullah shared:"This MOU is the start of a journey that would bring closer cooperation between the Management and the Union for one common objective of providing the best workplace and social support for the workers of MBS."
A Managed General Branch (MGB) committee comprising eligible employees who join the union will also be formed to better facilitate discussions on pertinent employee issues such as skills upgrading and management-employee mediation.
“Our partnership with AREU is a reflection of our ongoing efforts to create and deepen meaningful community partnerships which will result in more social and recreational benefits to our Team Members, beyond what they currently enjoy at the company level,” shared Marina Bay Sands President and CEO George Tanasijevich.
Echoing similar satisfaction over the benefits of this mutually beneficial partnership, AREU President Mr Hassan Abdullah added: “For the Labour Movement, we are happy to be given the opportunity to be a trusted voice for the workers at the workplace. We look forward to engaging with management for the betterment of the employees’ welfare as well as the company’s business.”
