A union member since 2000, Air Transport Executive Staff Union (AESU) Deputy General Secretary (DGS)/Treasurer Ravi Chandran P, 47, took up the call to serve as a union leader in 2006.
NTUC This Week: What prompted you to take on a leadership role?
Ravi Chandran P: It was in 2006 when AESU had our Ordinary General Meeting and there was an election for the new Executive Committee (ExCo). The pioneer union leaders were planning for leadership succession. Hence, they made a call to our members – to step forward and serve the union – especially the younger ones like me, who was in our mid-30s. I took up this call and stepped forward, contested in the ExCo election and was subsequently elected as an ExCo member. I was very humbled to be given the opportunity to serve the union as I was also the youngest in the ExCo back then.
Unionism is about common good. Some of us have to step forward for the benefit of our fellow workers. Unionists have to play a very active role, especially to front the issue of fairness at the workplace. It gives me satisfaction knowing that I’m contributing something meaningful.
How did you feel about being the youngest ExCo back then?
Being the youngest back then, I was exposed to various areas of union work for which I am very grateful to my mentors. There are essentially three parts of our union work: industrial relations matters like disputes and collective bargaining; organising members, social functions and activities; and union administrations. Since I am IT-trained, I also volunteered to maintain the union’s website. These were some of the roles I initially took up.
How do you juggle union work, career and your personal time?
I am a part-time unionist and we are usually strapped for time. So I have to do union work on my own time, after work. Sometimes if I have to go to a union meeting, I will have to stay back late to finish my own work. But I enjoy union work, so I don’t mind spending more time. This is a good platform to listen in to our members and their issues, and we get to help our fellow colleagues. The union is also a good forum to bring up any work-related issues that we can resolve for our members.
How was your rise to Deputy General Secretary/Treasurer?
Our General Secretary back then decided to further expose me to more industrial relations matters and collective bargaining. That was when I started being involved in other divisions and subsidiaries under SIA Group and SATS, often negotiating on Collective Agreements. I was subsequently appointed as Deputy General Secretary (DGS) in 2009. When Brother Martin Chan flowed up to General Secretary in 2010, I took over his place as DGS/Treasurer. Now I’m involved with industrial relations matters of all the seven companies under SIA Group and SATS represented by AESU, and also a member of Investment, Editorial and IT committees of the union. I also represent AESU in NTUC Industrial Relations Sectorial Committee, and Aviation & Aerospace Cluster Committee.
What do you think makes a good union leader?
One characteristic of a good union leader is to have a good understanding of Industrial Relations and Tripartism. The leader must also step forward to serve the members. If there is an issue concerning the workers, you must dare to bring it up. You must not be afraid if doing this will affect your career. The person must have an open heart and do the things he or she feels is right for the benefit of workers.
Source: NTUC This Week
