By Shukry Rashid
“How can the current generation of SURAWU (Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority Workers’ Union) leaders, working with the management in URA, prepare the next generation of leaders with the same leadership skills and ethos?” asked NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Chan Chun Sing at the house union’s first Quadrennial General Meeting on 24 June 2016 at the URA Centre.
The event was attended by some 120 guests – mainly SURAWU members, leaders of other unions and the URA management.
SG Chan said that while SURAWU’s current Executive Committee has built a good relationship with the management, it is also important to groom a new generation of leaders going forward.
Professionals, Managers and Executives of URA should also be given the opportunity to serve SURAWU, said SG Chan.
“Don’t just attract the rank-and-file workers, but attract as many people in URA as possible to join the Labour Movement, to understand the ground issues that different profile of workers are going through,” he added.
New Union General Secretary
SG Chan’s speech was timely as SURAWU saw its General Secretary Marimuthu Suppamal stepping down to make way for veteran SURAWU unionist Mohd Yazid Idris (pictured above).
Ms Marimuthu was given a tribute during the event for her contributions to both the union and the Labour Movement. She has been with the union for over 40 years.
Mr Mohd Yazid, who has been with the union for over 30 years, said: “It’s a new challenging chapter of my involvement with union work as the responsibility commitment level have been upped.
“I do hope I will be able to rise to the occasion. I'm still in the learning stage and I’m looking forward to the guidance of my mentor and fellow unionists.”
Source: NTUC This Week
