We’ve read much about how Singapore’s healthcare sector is poised to grow even more in the future. From the adoption of new technology to the expansion of healthcare infrastructure, new jobs are being created with better career prospects for healthcare professionals.
What we don’t often read about is how healthcare professionals are coping with these changes, and how the 43,000 strong Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU) is working behind the scenes to take care of their members’ needs.
Following a recent reshuffle in the union’s executive council, some union stalwarts have stepped up to take on new roles. We catch up with new HSEU General Secretary Simon Ong and Assistant General Treasurer Lim Chuan Kah to find out what keeps them going.
Simon Ong, 54
HSEU general secretary and senior nurse manager at Changi General Hospital
The decision to step up as a union leader was not an easy decision for Simon Ong, 54. He declined the offer when he was first approached by mentor and HSEU pioneer Miss Lau Soy Soy when she asked him to be part of the branch committee back in 1995.
“I was not very keen then because the priority for me was to earn enough money to support my family as I was the sole breadwinner and my first child was born that year,” he said.
It would be four years later in 1999 that the father of three gave in to the passion that burned inside.
“I found the union too quiet. It was too passive and had not been actively recruiting members. Staff in the hospitals had no idea that a union existed,” said Simon.
The vision of being a union that represented its members saw Simon and his team work hard on growing the union’s membership in his branch and organise more activities to boost awareness. Today, years of walking the ground together with his team has borne fruit, with a branch membership of over 2,500 compared to the 500 when he first stepped up.
A Voice for Workers
“I care most about unfair treatment in the workplace. Should I get to know of something being done unfairly, I will make sure to find out all the details of the matter and get to the bottom of it… I see myself as a spokesperson for the workers. Should they encounter any unfair treatment or have grievances, the union will always be here for them. To help them, listen to them, and reach out to the management if necessary,” said Simon.
To him, making a positive change in the lives of his members has been the most satisfying aspect of his work as a union leader.
“I feel happy when I see my members happy. This actually motivates me to want to do more and drives me to go out there and help more members,” he added.
A Turning Point
One might assume that it would be natural for a leader like Simon to take up the position of HSEU’s general secretary (GS) when the time came. But that decision would prove to be one of the toughest he has had to make.
“I was asked to take over the post of GS back in April 2018, but I declined because I didn’t get the support of my family and because of the lack of time for them. I also felt that I could perhaps do better in my career
as a senior nurse manager,” he recounted.
Given the demands of his job as a nurse, time with the family had always been in short supply for Simon, and assuming the responsibility of leading the union would only exacerbate the problem. As he analysed the situation, Simon even grappled with alternative career options and leaving the union.
“I was fighting inside and really could not make the decision. But as I was talking through this with my wife, we eventually reached the conclusion that I should follow my heart. It might not have been clear to me then, but it was clear to her that the union was in my heart, not my career development,” said Simon.
Eyes on the Future
Since winning his family over, Simon’s focus has been on guiding HSEU into the future.
“As an industrial union, we can reach out to more healthcare sectors besides restructured hospitals and nursing alone. Healthcare is a huge sector, and while everyone in the sector is looking to do good for other people, I believe that each of these people will need an avenue for support.
“This is where HSEU can continue to spread our wings and reach out to these workers. This includes workers in nursing homes, general-practitioner clinics, and even private hospitals. We are not just a union, we also have the heart to care for all workers,” he said.
This new phase of Simon’s union journey may have just begun but he is grateful for all the exposure he’s received through the years, which gives him confidence.
“The union has groomed me to be who I am today. What I knew about leadership used to be on a superficial level, but my exposure in the union helped me look at things from a bigger picture, communicate well and build the confidence to lead. The union trained me, built me up and allowed me to achieve my potential, which I appreciate a lot,” he said.
Lim Chuan Kah, 57
HSEU assistant general treasure and principal enrolled nurse at the National Heart Centre
In his 32 years as a union member, 57-year-old Lim Chuan Kah always actively participates in union activities.
“I was always very active with the union, participating and helping out with activities. I also wanted to learn more about what the union stood for and how we can help improve the welfare of our members. If I don't know much about it, how can I expect my fellow members to be aware too?” said the father of one.
A Turning Point
However, it was only when the National Heart Centre became autonomous in 1999, and subsequently a branch of its own, that Chuan Kah decided to make the step up as a union leader.
“When National Heart Centre was established, there had been a gap of six years where our branch had little to no representation. As a result of the lack of activities or awareness, our membership base started dwindling one by one. Seeing this saw me decide to step in and do something about it back in 2005,” he said.
A Challenging Start
As a new branch with new management, Chuan Kah had his work cut out for him in the early days.
“In my first term as a branch chairman with the National Heart Centre in 2005, we did not have the support of our management because we were still new. To overcome that challenge, I managed all the necessary union work in my own free time, using my days off and personal leave days to take care of any union-related matters. That was a really difficult time for me. It was only when the management and human resources became more aware of us and better understood our work that they softened their stance. But even then, I try to use my own off days instead,” he recounted.
Letting Actions Do the Talking
“Through my time in the union, I got to learn how to represent the interest of my members in discussions on matters such as annual increment and bonuses. Over time, I learnt how to better guide and advise my members. I want to be someone who can represent my members and help them should they encounter any problems,” Chuan Kah said when asked about how he hopes to make a difference.
Over the years, personally engaging fellow colleagues at the National Heart Centre has helped Chuan Kah grow the branch membership from 200 to over 600 members.
Growing Through the Union
Through the many activities he’s participated in and has had to organise, Chuan Kah says that he’s been able to grow in confidence.
“From knowing nothing when I first started, I’ve since been able to pick up and get exposed to so many aspects of being a union leader,” he recounted.
Having taken on the position of assistant general treasurer, Chuan Kah is now looking forward to continue learning and improving.
“Being part of HSEU’s executive council has given me the opportunity to get to learn more and see things from a wider perspective. I now get the exposure to do more for my members and widen my knowledge, understanding and perspective,” he added.
