#1 Helping the Retrenched
Since the start of year, BATU’s branches have undergone quite a bit of restructuring. This has resulted in retrenchments affecting hundreds of workers. Thankfully, the union has successfully negotiated for affected members to keep some benefits. For instance, members can continue to enjoy up to two years of free union membership so that they can continue to apply for BATU’s bursary awards.
#2 Emphasising Upskilling
BATU has also not been sitting still in helping workers to remain employable amidst restructuring exercises. It has worked closely with management partners involved to train the affected workers by sending them to employability camps, SkillsFuture workshops and job fairs organised by NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute).
# 3 Caring for Cleaners
Cleaners are one group of workers BATU continues to champion. Recently, a group of 3,000 cleaners were affected by a change in their cleaning service contract. From November 2017, BATU has been engaging these cleaners on the ground on a regular basis. BATU has been going to the ground as most of the cleaners are not tech savvy and do not have access to email accounts. It has visited nearly 300 sites so far to assure these cleaners of the assistance that the union will be offering them. The cleaners were also given a better understanding about the Progressive Wage Model and how they can benefit from it by upskilling. The workers were also given assurance about retaining their union membership.
# 4 Boosting Members’ Welfare
BATU has been arranging a whole series of activities to enhance the welfare of both local and foreign members. They include an outing to Sentosa under the union's Care and Share programme with New Hope Services, cricket games for foreign workers with the help of the Migrant Workers’ Centre, and appreciation events for cleaners.
