NTUC applauds union leaders' commitment to lifelong learning
31 July 2009
Media Release
1. They are the backbone of the Labour Movement. They are powered by a passion to help their fellow workers earn a better living and live a better life. They make immense personal sacrifices because their work is a call to service above and beyond their regular jobs. And yet, they find the time to constantly hone their knowledge and skills so that their assistance to fellow workers is up-to-date and effective.
2. In recognition of union leaders’ commitment to lifelong learning, NTUC has launched the inaugural Industrial Workers Education and Training Fund (IWETF) Learning Awards this year. The IWETF, amounting to $6 million, was set up in 1982 to fund leadership training and development activities in the NTUC-affiliated industrial unions. Presented for the first time this year, the IWETF Learning Awards go to 44 union leaders from the industrial unions, and signify the importance that the IWETF Management Committee places on union leadership development.
3. Union leaders are the voice of the workers. They do tough work on the ground - protecting and promoting the workers’ interests, negotiating for a win-win outcome between labour and management, carrying ground sentiment when difficult policies have to be rolled out.
4. In the current global recession, the worst the world has seen in 60 years, the work of union leaders is even more critical. Amidst the economic uncertainty, rising unemployment and retrenchments, the multiple tasks of a union leader - pushing the Labour Movement mantra to cut costs to save jobs, encouraging skills training and upgrading to keep workers employed and employable, negotiating wage and retrenchment benefits, handling workplace grievances and unfair treatment, ensuring the Labour Movement’s suite of Care and Share initiatives touches workers in need – demand not only tremendous dedication and energy, but also the drive to keep abreast of the latest knowledge and skills required to best serve the workers.
5. It is this commitment to continuous learning so as to bring about the best outcomes for workers that the IWETF Learning Awards applaud. Chairman of the IWETF Management Committee, Mrs Josephine Teo, said, “The economic landscape is ever-changing. Globalisation, economic dislocation, shorter boom-and-bust cycles – these constantly shifting economic realities demand new, innovative and creative solutions to managing the workforce. It is thus imperative for unions leaders to constantly equip themselves with the tools to deftly steer their workers through the ups and downs. As path-finders for their workers, only if they themselves are enlightened can they do their job well. With this inaugural IWETF Learning Awards, we want to underscore the importance of lifelong learning for union leaders and challenge more of them to make it a way of life.”
6. Training for union leaders spans the entire gamut of labour-management relations; employment laws and practices; manpower policies and guidelines; human resource management; and leadership skills. Apart from hard knowledge, the nature of their work amidst setbacks, anxieties and high-strung nerves, means that union leaders must also be honed in soft skills. Sensitivity, compassion and a positive, supportive demeanor are all hallmarks of their work.
7. Training is provided by the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTC Institute), the leadership development hub of the Labour Movement. Courses offered by the OTC Institute, which union leaders typically attend, include the Certificate Series in Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management and Leadership; the Diploma in Employment Relations; and short workshops and seminars. The “Upturn the Downturn” workshops were OTC Institute’s rapid-response, targeted training initiative for union leaders during the economic downturn.
8. Selection for the inaugural IWETF Learning Awards is based on the number of training days chalked up by the union leaders from 1 January 2007 to 31 March 2009. The awards fall under the following categories - Gold (24 training days within 7-year period), Silver (16 training days within 6-year period), and Bronze (8 training days within 5-year period). In total, $12,550 worth of awards, in the form of NTUC FairPrice Vouchers, will be given out. Besides Certificates of Appreciation, the winners will walk away with $500 worth of vouchers in the Gold Category, $350 worth of vouchers in the Silver Category, and $200 worth of vouchers in the Bronze category.
9. Ms Catherine Chia, Branch Secretary of NEC Semiconductors and UWEEI Exco member, a Gold award winner, comes from an industry hard hit by the downturn. She said, “Many of my members were hit by retrenchment. I was able to help them with their doubts and queries, and counsel them through the difficult period. I encouraged them to go for training at e2i, and attend the SPUR training programmes. Without my union leadership training at OTC Institute, I wouldn’t have had the know-how and confidence to help my fellow workers. As union leaders, we must put in the time and effort to constantly upgrade ourselves, the same way we encourage our workers to upgrade”. Along with her fellow award winners, Ms Chia acknowledged that support from her management and family is crucial for her to pursue excellence in her union work.
10. NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say will present the certificates and awards to the winners at the upcoming IWETF Leaders’ Workshop to be held from 31 July to 2 August 2009. The annual workshop is a key platform for networking, team-building and bonding among union leaders from the industrial unions. Some 200 union leaders and industrial relations officers will be participating in the workshop.
Josephine Teo
Chairman, IWETF Management Committee
ANNEX
OTC INSTITUTE COURSES FOR UNION LEADERS
The Certificate Series in Industrial Relations covers topics such as labour laws, economic situation, national policies, grievance handling, dispute settlement, counseling skills, Industrial Relations systems and practices, membership benefits, recruitment skills, etc.
*** An average of 2,500 union leaders attend the various courses offered by OTC Institute every year.
