The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group announced on 10 September 2020 its decision to cut around 4,300 positions across both its local and international stations.
The move will potentially see some 2,400 staff being put out of work.
In an official statement, the national carrier said: “After taking into account a recruitment freeze, natural attrition, and the take up of voluntary departure schemes, the potential number of staff impacted will be reduced to about 2,400 in Singapore and overseas stations.”
Carriers under the SIA Group include Singapore Airlines, Scoot and SilkAir.
In response, NTUC issued a statement regarding SIA’s decision, stating that it will stand in solidarity with employees affected by the retrenchment exercise.
NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Cham Hui Fong said: “We know that the decision to let employees go does not come lightly to SIA Group.
“While this move is necessary, considering air travel has almost ground to a halt, retrenchment is still never easy news to hear, both for employers and employees alike.”
Over the last six months, the Singapore Airlines Staff Union (SIASU) and Scoot Staff Union (STSU) have been working closely with SIA and Scoot’s management on various measures to avoid the retrenchment.
However, the impact COVID-19 has left on the aviation industry globally proved to be too devasting and prolonged to negate a need for the airline to cut back on staff headcount.
SIASU and STSU worked with SIA’s management to ensure that the retrenchment exercise was fair, taking reference from the NTUC Fair Retrenchment Framework and other tripartite advisories.
In response to the news, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said in a Facebook post: “It can be especially hard for our union leaders, having to see fellow colleagues being let go.
“When union leaders from the aviation and aerospace sectors and I met on several occasions over the past few months, we spoke of steps taken by management and unions together to help workers during this downtime and mitigate retrenchment.”
Mr Ng noted that while outcomes may not always be as desired, he appreciated the unwavering efforts made by the unions.
“I know it is tough for all concerned. But let us take heart, keep the faith and continue to support one another. Slowly but surely, we will emerge stronger together,” he said.
