Despite an easy-going, warm and humorous personality, Singapore Industrial & Services Employees' Union (SISEU) Assistant General Secretary and Branch Chairman of ST Aerospace Engineering Sazali Zainal is serious about making the lives of workers better.
SISEU General Secretary Lim Kuang Beng mentored you throughout your union journey. Can you tell us more about the experience?
Sazali Zainal: I first started out with the union when I was introduced to a branch official in my company in 2008. He asked me to join the union and do union work. And after I did, I soon found myself in the branch as well. I slowly learned more and more about what unions do.
I still remember the first time I was interviewed by Mr Lim Kuang Beng, who was then the branch chairman. My first impression of him was that he was a very serious person. He didn’t smile when he spoke. He talked to me about the union and about the company. He kept a straight, stern face throughout. It was really intimidating and intense. I thought to myself: “Oh man, what did I get myself into?” But over the years, I’ve come to realise that he may be a serious person, but he means well and really cares for our members.
So under his mentorship, I went up the ranks in union leadership. I became treasurer of the branch, the secretary, and I eventually took over as the chairman of the branch.
What drives you as a union leader?
Two years ago, one of my members got a D grade at work. This meant he wasn’t eligible for a bonus. We fought hard for him and managed to get his grade up to a C after finding some lapses in the grading process. Today, he’s still doing well and has been keeping his grade up.
It’s the satisfaction I get when I help members that keeps me going. Whenever I help members and their problems are solved at the end of the day, it makes me happy. But, of course, sometimes the problems can be difficult to solve. Therefore it’s important for union leaders to have at least some knowledge of law, policies and processes, which can be very useful tools to have at their disposal.
What are your hopes for labour relations between SISEU and ST Aerospace Engineering?
In the company I work for, the management and union have always been working closely to help workers. For instance, when business isn’t doing so well, the management and union will come together to support our workers, especially those with families. When we negotiate, we always look for win-win solutions for both the company and workers. I hope, even with leadership renewal in the union and the branch, we can maintain this good labour-management relationship.
Speaking of leadership renewal, what do you think SISEU can do to ensure the people who step-up are of quality?
We need to educate the members of the benefits of being union leaders. But first, we need to let them know what being a union member really means. Many workers just join unions to get Linkpoints to shop at FairPrice. There are other things many members are still unaware of, such as free legal services, be eligible for vouchers, workplace protection and so on.
Only when they know what the unions really do that we will find members who are willing to step-up and take on leadership roles. SISEU always keeps a lookout for good people who have potential; we train them and expose them to industrial relations. The important thing is that they have to be open and committed to the cause.
