By Shukry Rashid
Emphasising the growth of its union leaders – that was one of the key messages that Housing and Development Board Staff Union (HDBSU) President Michael Koh highlighted during the union’s 2nd Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference (QDC) on 26 August 2015 at NTUC Club Downtown East.
Amongst those present were Guest-of-Honour HDBSU Honorary Advisor Tan Soo Khoon, 71 delegates, NTUC union leaders and HDB management staff.
Mr Koh said: “To grow our union leaders, in collaboration with Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute, we have put in place a training roadmap for our union leaders. We have made it compulsory for all delegates to go through the certificate courses in industrial relations up to Advanced Certificate in Industrial Relations to help them acquire the skills and competencies required to perform more efficiently as a union official.”
Flowing On
A number of senior Executive Council (ExCo) members also ‘flowed on’ to make way for younger leaders. One of them was former HDBSU Vice-President Toh Leng Swee who said that he noticed more Branch Officials are being elected, who are eager to take on leadership roles to better serve the union’s members.
He added: “I’m also 63 this year and not getting younger. I think it’s time to make way for newer, younger leaders. I feel that leadership renewal is also the right way to go to make sure an organisation is sustainable.”
The QDC resulted in 18 elected officials. Of the 18 positions, nine were uncontested and nine were elected.
Source: NTUC This Week
