In 2013, the wages of workers at the NatSteel Group were affected when the plant was shut down for a few months as it went through an upgrading exercise.
To address the situation, NatSteel Employees’ Union (NEU) approached the management and affected workers were given a lump sum to tide over the period.
This is just one of the many examples that show the good bipartite relations between NatSteel Group’s management and the union.
NatSteel Group Chief Operating Officer Joseph Yong shared the importance of having a union in such circumstances as it can form a collective voice to help the company improve its policies.
NEU President Chew Chee Leong said that the company and its management had always been very supportive, open to feedback and suggestions.
The Company also encouraged NEU to nominate one or two of their Executive Council members to sit in various committees for welfare and safety.
“Even when we have problems, we can approach the top management officials. They are open to us and we can even bring certain Industrial Relations issues to these committees,” said Mr Chew.
To celebrate the good bipartite relations between NatSteel Group’s management and the union, NatSteel Employees’ Union organised a Lunar New Year gathering on 8 January at Jest D’ Place.
Original article can be found in NTUC This Week (16 February 2014)
