When the Public Utilities Board’s (PUB) Electricity and Gas Department was corporatised in 1995 to become Singapore Power, Mr Abdul Rahman Mahbob was elected President of the newly formed Union of Power and Gas Employees (UPAGE). Overseeing technology and restructuring challenges, Mr Rahman retired in 2007 after a stellar 47-year long union career.
NTUCtw: Why did you join the union?
Mr Abdul Rahman Mahbob: I had a fellow colleague, who was a Branch Secretary in a union. He introduced me to the works of the union where I joined the City Council Staff Union in 1960. After the inception of the Public Utilities Board Staff Union (PUBSU) in 1963, I rose steadily to become the Vice President of PUBSU in 1989 to 1995. And, the rest is history.
NTUCtw: Comparing unions in the past to unions now, what has changed?
Mr Abdul Rahman Mahbob: Back then, unions would always want to win in any situation and the unionists presented themselves in an outspoken manner, almost forceful. But that has changed since the formation of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).
At the start, we were skeptical about positive relations with the management. Later, we found that it was helpful to create healthy industrial relations with the union and the management. NTUC played a key role in this and today, most management are more enlightened in this aspect.
NTUCtw: You speak about overcoming barriers to create positive labour-management relations. How did you handle it?
Mr Abdul Rahman Mahbob: When UPAGE first started, we approached members to explain the benefits of working closely with the management.
There were times when we walked out of meetings, but we must understand that both parties have responsibilities on the negotiation table. There is no need to attack them. We have to give and take. It is part and parcel of the discussion.
So, when we heard of technology advances and companies doing automation, we spoke with the management to arrange upskilling courses for the workers.
NTUCtw: Did the workers embrace the idea of upskilling?
Mr Abdul Rahman Mahbob: They were worried about coping with new technologies. But we convinced them to upgrade to stay relevant in the workforce. Furthermore, the classes were subsidised by the union.
For those who couldn’t understand English, we requested vocational tutors to teach in a suitable language. They passed the certification and were adequately equipped with theory and practical skills.
NTUCtw: Share your favourite union experience.
Mr Abdul Rahman Mahbob: I had the privilege to work with many, especially UPAGE Adviser, Sin Boon Ann. I always remind all to treat members with respect, so when they raise their disagreements, they also voice it with respect.
Original article written by Florina Oo, and can be found in NTUC This Week (27 July 2014)
