The National Transport Workers' Union (NTWU) will ensure that any actions taken by SMRT against its workers are fair and appropriate.
NTWU Executive Secretary Melvin Yong said this in response to the announcement by SMRT on 31 October 2017 to suspend the manager and staff responsible for the maintenance of the Bishan portal sump pump system, which caused the over-20-hour train delay on 8 October 2017.
Urging SMRT to make training a focus for its workers, Mr Yong said that NTWU wants to ensure that the efforts of the many other SMRT workers who have been working hard to run the trains smoothly are recognised.
Maintenance Failure
According to SMRT, the quarterly maintenance works for December 2016, March 2017 and June 2017 were not properly conducted.
Chairman of SMRT Corporation and SMRT Trains Seah Moon Ming said: “SMRT has zero tolerance for failures in supervision and diligence over maintenance tasks. We do not condone any acts of dishonesty and dereliction of responsibility, whether by management or staff. All who are accountable will be disciplined sternly, regardless of rank and position. Accordingly, the relevant management chain of command in SMRT must be held accountable.”
