To mark this significant milestone, the AUPE Group Master Plan 2009 and Beyond would be crafted and launched at the upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebrations Dinner on 26 September 2009. It would be the impetus for the AUPE Group of organisations to strive for continuous growth and seek excellence for many decades to come.

It was with this objective in mind that two retreats were organised for some 120 participants comprising union leaders, directors and staff from the AUPE Group to discuss on strategies and ideas that would form the blue print for the Master Plan 2009 and Beyond.

Facilitated by Ong Teng Cheong (OTC) Institute officials, the morning programme kicked off with presentations to update the audience on the progress and development of LM2011 followed by updates of the 5 dragon boats adopted by AUPE, namely the Silver Collar, Gold Collar, Uth Movement, e2i and Singapore Tripartism Forum. OTC Institute officials also shared with participants ideas and suggestions from the 31 branches that had held their own retreats on AUPE 2011 in 2008.

Divided into groups, participants wasted no time in formulating action plans to boost progress of existing initiatives and also realise plans and ideas arising from the Branch 2011 retreats.

After lunch, participants broke out into three groups to discuss strategies and recommendations on the following areas identified as the salient features of the AUPE Master Plan.

The seminar room was a hive of activities as facilitators of the above areas rotated among the groups to gather inputs and feedback. Short time frame not withstanding, participants were seen engaged in robust discussions throughout the duration of the seminar.

The programme dealt with the 4 strategic areas namely, Corporate, Organisation, Membership and Business Development that encompass the 6 salient features mentioned above. Besides updating participants on the concept and development strategies, they were encouraged to come up with further innovative ideas or recommendations and also share their concerns with the panel of facilitators chaired by AUPE Vice-President Rahim Alwi.

All recommendations from the 2 seminars would be documented and incorporated into the Master Plan 2009 and Beyond.

The May Day Awards are bestowed on persons and companies that have made significant contributions to the trade union movement, including NTUC-related organisations like NTUC Clubs, co-operatives and the Singapore Labour Foundation and its companies.

NTUC presented 60 individuals and companies May Day Awards at this year’s May Day Dinner on 29 April. AUPE Group and the Executive Council are proud of the following awardees who were honoured by the labour movement at the celebration dinner.

The Comrade of Labour Award is conferred on a serving and deserving trade unionist who has made significant contributions to his trade union and is still active in his trade union’s executive committee. He should have served the trade union movement for at least five years, and also be serving in the NTUC co-operatives, Singapore Labour Foundation and its companies, NTUC affiliates and other NTUC Committees.

“The workers need organised unions to help protect their well-being. From my experience, union leaders must genuinely care for members and take the initiative to reach out to them.”

Comrade Chattukutty Nair Balan’s involvement with the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE) started in 1980. He was its Executive Councillor for six years and served as Vice-President before assuming his current post of President.

Among Comrade Balan’s strengths is his understanding of members’ matters and skill in presenting them to management for amicable resolutions. The advocate for win-win results is also AUPE’s alternate member nominee to the NTUC Public Sector Industrial Relations Committee.

At the branch level, Comrade Balan is Chairman of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Staff Branch. Previously, he served the Customs Staff Branch as a Committee Member, Assistant Secretary and Branch Chairman.

He played an important role during the merger of the Customs & Excise Department and Singapore Immigration & Registration Department. When the Joint Task Force was formed to iron out the issues, he joined it and contributed to the smooth formation of the ICA under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

With Comrade Balan at the helm, union membership is on the rise. He arranges for union officials to address recruits at ICA Induction and Orientation programmes and inducted many young members for leadership renewal.

On trade union training, he set an example by completing the Diploma in Employment Relations. He also led delegations overseas to promote fraternity ties and to learn from other public sector unions.

In recognition of his contributions to AUPE and fellow workers, the National Trades Union Congress is pleased to present Chattukutty Nair Balan with the Comrade of Labour Award.

“Leadership renewal is important. I want to encourage more of our younger members to come forward and serve, as well as groom them into effective union leaders.”

Comrade Maniam Murugiah has been a union member for over 34 years. He is Vice-President of the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE) and has been serving as Chairman of the National Parks Board (NParks) Staff Branch since 1993.

Comrade Maniam is passionate about the employability of older workers, pushing for continued employability and skills upgrading. He represents AUPE as an alternate member nominee to the NTUC Employability Development Committee.

His style of promoting good labour-management relations has earned him trust from union members and management. He helped resolve issues amicably with management when the Parks and Recreation Department in the Ministry of National Development was absorbed into NParks in 1996. A year later, he was appointed Chairman to the Parks Rangers Working Committee of NParks to review operations of the NParks Rangers Service. In 2002, he joined the NParks Disciplinary Review Committee to set guidelines for handling disciplinary cases.

Under his leadership, union membership at NParks has been growing. To attract new blood, Comrade Maniam arranges for union officials to address recruits at all NParks Induction and Orientation programmes. He also encourages young members to undertake courses like the Diploma in Industrial Relations and Diploma in Employment Relations to understand the labour movement. Leadership renewal strategies are thus carried out effectively, with over half of his committee members being youths.

In recognition of his contributions to AUPE and fellow workers, the National Trades Union Congress is pleased to present Maniam Murugiah with the Comrade of Labour Award.

The Medal of Commendation is conferred on a senior management person who has made significant contributions towards promoting good industrial relations, workers’ training and welfare of workers.

“My management has made a commitment to create a great workplace for our staff to fulfill their career aspirations and reach their fullest potential. We are blessed to have the partnership of a forward-looking and understanding union.”

As a strong advocate of organisational excellence through good HR practices, Mr Ng Lang’s appointment as the CEO of the National Parks Board (NPARKS) helped transform NPARKS into a dynamic, people-centric organisation within a short span of two years.

Always one to adopt a hands-on approach, Mr Ng initiated the highly successful monthly breakfast meetings with middle management in order to improve the communication of key policies. Mr Ng was also a staunch believer in strong labour-management relations. Besides holding bi-monthly Industrial Relations Committee (IRC) meetings between management and union, Mr Ng showed active interest in the union’s projects. When the Amalgamated Union of Public Daily Rated Workers had a book launch to raise funds for daily rated employees, Nr Ng secured management support for the event.

His efforts at good HR practices paid off when NPARKS clinched the coveted Singapore HR Award 2009. With the company’s emphasis on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, NPARKS also garnered the prestigious Platinum HEALTH Award (2006) under Mr Ng’s leadership. Indeed, NPARKS today holds one of the industry’s lowest sick leave rates.

Another feather in NPARKS’ cap came in the form of the Bridge of Hope Award in recognition of the organisation’s participation in rehabilitative programmes for offenders.

For his positive contributions to the Labour Movement and in promoting harmonious labour-management relations, the National Trades Union Congress is pleased to confer on Mr Ng Lang the Medal of Commendation.

The Plaque of Commendation is conferred on a company that has made significant contributions towards promoting good industrial relations and workers’ training.

“We value good union-management relations in Singapore Customs. The SC management works closely together with the unions both formally and informally to discuss issues of common interests and exchange ideas.”

Singapore Customs is the leading government agency on trade facilitation, revenue enforcement of customs and trade enforcement measures.

By maintaining excellent industrial relations with the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE), Singapore Customs has been able to efficiently engage union representatives on issues such as uniforms, working hours, postings and other pertinent matters. In support of union’s activities, the company encourages staff to take time off from work to attend union programmes.

In order to cultivate a family-friendly working environment to allow staff to enjoy better work-life balance, the company has implemented measures such as staggering reporting times, allowing for part-time employment, as well as organising health and wellness programmes. It won the Singapore Family Friendly Employer Award in 2004. The re-employment of staff beyond retirement age is also strongly practised at Singapore Customs.

By giving priority to staff development, Singapore Customs has been the recipient of the People Developer Standard award since 2002. The organisation was also ranked first in the 2008 World Competitiveness Survey which measures the ability of custom administrations from 60 countries to facilitate transit of goods and maintain a sustainable business environment.

In recognition of its outstanding contributions to the Labour Movement, the National Trades Union Congress is pleased to present Singapore Customs with the Plaque of Commendation.

The May Day Model Partnership Awards 2009 was held on 16 May 2009 at the D’Marquee, Downtown East.

This year NTUC honours some 300 exemplary individuals, unions and companies who have rallied together as partners and contributed to helping workers upturn the downturn. It has departed from the traditional May Day Model Worker Awards to introduce the new May Day Partnership Awards to recognise partnerships displayed by individuals and institutions in saving jobs, upgrading skills and fostering closer tripartite relations.

Public Service Division (PSD) has bagged the Model Partnership Award in the Institutional Partnership Category for its progressive, responsive and flexible HR framework for the Public Service.

It has worked together with AUPE and other public sector unions on enhancing the employability and employment of officers with initiatives such as re-employment of older workers, job re-design for support level jobs and ensure that its officers remain skilled and relevant with continuous training and development.

Ms Hasnah Binte Ibrahim’s job responsibilities as a Principal Tactical Ranger of the National Parks Board entail leading an enforcement team to curb illegal acts in the Parks. Under her leadership, she has motivated her team to perform to the apex in maintaining the parks and making them safe for visitors.

For her total commitment and dedication to her job, Ms Hasnah Binte Ibrahim is conferred the Individual Worker Award.

AUPE has renewed the following Agreements with the statutory boards below with a good turnout of management and union officials at the Signing Ceremonies.

The Singapore Polytechnic Non-Academic Staff Agreement 2009 was signed on 13 February 2009.

It takes effect on 13th February 2009 and shall remain in force for three years.

The Science Centre Singapore Staff Agreement 2009 was signed on 29 April 2009.

The Agreement takes effect from 1 May 2009 and shall remain in force for a period of 3 years expiring on 30th April 2012.

The new Agreements include a new Re-employment clause, which offers re-employment prospects for employees due for retirement.

Discussion sessions for re-employment shall start at least a year before employees’ retirement age. Employees shall be informed of their re-employment offer or otherwise at least 3 months before retirement.

Employment assistance will be provided where necessary if the organisations are not able to offer re-employment.

With effect from 1 April 2009, Statutory Board pensioners will be eligible for a class of ward based on their eligibility as at the eve of retirement from the Statutory Board, and not as at the eve of transfer from the Civil Service to the Statutory Board.

This followed representations made by AUPE and NTUC to the Public Service Division that statutory board pensioners were entitled to only the ward class eligibility that they were enjoying at the time of their transfer from the civil service to the statutory board. Often this means that transferred officers will qualify for a lower class ward when they retire even if they have been promoted and enjoying higher class ward eligibility during their service in the statutory boards.

AUPE Co-op’s total assets grew to $124,960,901 for financial year 2008. It also recorded a net surplus of $611,163 over the same period, which is a reasonably good performance considering the global financial crisis and economic downturn.

Mr Teo Yock Ngee, Chairman of the AUPE Multi-purpose Co-operative Society Ltd made the announcement during the Society’s 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 22 May 2009 at Lee Kong Chian Hall, Wisma AUPE. Besides sharing with members some important areas during the year under review, he also touched on the way forward for the Society as an organisation within the AUPE Group under its Master Plan 2009 and Beyond.

Members would receive a dividend of 1 % on their shares and subscription savings as at 31 December 2008. This total payment of about $443,000 would be credited into their accounts after the AGM. Interest paid to members amounted to $1,055,490 for 2008.

Members continue to show confidence by placing their money with the Society. The total deposits of $76,056,153 million represented a growth of $6,629,835 million over the previous year. This 8.72% increase was mostly saving deposits, which accounted for 53% of all the Saving, Special and Term Deposits.

Our Society continues to offer competitive rates for loans, which is reflected in the increase of loans taken by members. A total of 3,790 loans amounting to $14,787,983 were granted in 2008, an increase of 9.6% over the previous year. More importantly, the default loans have been steadily decreasing since 2006. In 2008, the Society recorded a very low default of $319,428, which is 58.86% lower compared to 2006. The loan default rate for 2008 is 2.16%.

Membership of the Society has been steadily increasing due to the concerted efforts of our Founder as well as Institutional Members. The current membership is 14,558 as at end of 2008, representing an increase of 2.2% over the previous year.

This year, the Society has made a donation of $50,000 towards the NTUC U-Care Fund in aid of the lower income group and needy affected by the current recession. The trade unions and related entities aim to raise 1 million to help our fellow workers.

From time to time, the Society also taps on its Community Services Fund to assist other unions and welfare organisations. As a Co-operative, we will continue to do our part to help the community within our means and resources.

2 AUPE Group Retreats were held in March and May this year to further discuss on its concept and development strategies. 4 strategic areas namely, Corporate, Organisation, Membership and Business developments were arrived at from the 6 salient features of the Master Plan.

The Master Plan will focus on the concept of continuous growth and sustainable development to achieve excellence for the larger organisation, that is the AUPE Group, which comprises the Union, the Club and other Co-operatives. The document is now being crafted and would be launched on 26 September 2009 in conjunction with AUPE’s 50th Anniversary.

A new AUPE Group logo would be inaugurated at the same time at the Anniversary Celebrations Dinner. Moving forward the AUPE Group needs to forge a brand new identity – a master brand that all of us can identify and be proud with.

The Society wishes to record its appreciation to the following Directors who would be stepping down.

The Society also wishes to express its gratitude to the Registry of Co-operatives Societies and Singapore National Co-operative Federation for their advice and assistance on the re-registration of our Society and amendments to the by-laws.

Lastly a big THANK YOU to all fellow Co-operators, Directors, and staff members of the AUPE Group for their loyal support, assistance and commitment in ensuring that the focus of the Co-operative operations remains where it should be – that is looking after our members’ needs.

Come 1 May 2009, from the consequence of the divesting of functions of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), security screening functions in the gate hold rooms by the Security Screening Unit (SSU) under the Airport Police Division (APD) were handed over to the new airport operator. Thus the SSU had to be disbanded.

Opportunities were offered to 213 staff in the SSU by way of option to transfer to the Immigration Checkpoints Authority (ICA), APD new regulatory unit or go on the Special Resignation Scheme (SRS). Officers opting for the transfer will be on no less favourable terms.

With the change, the AUPE Police Civilian Staff Branch, which had been with the union since 1978, will have to be dissolved. The respective members joining ICA will be transferred to the ICA Staff Branch while those joining the Airport Regulatory body will be transferred to MHA Staff Branch. The members accepting the SRS will initially be transferred to the General Branch.

AUPE would like to thank the branch leaders and members for their contributions and support over the years and wish them the best in their future endeavours.

APD held an appreciation dinner to thank the officers for their dedicated service on 30 April 2009.

The AUPE Group consisting 5 entities namely - the Trade Union (Amalgamated Union of Public Employees), 3 Co-operative Societies (AUPE Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society Ltd; AUPE General Services Co-operative Ltd; and AUPE Foundation Co-operative Ltd) and the AUPE Sports and Recreation Club is pleased to invite all members to design an AUPE Group Logo.

The Amalgamated Union of Public Employees was registered on 26 September 1959 while the AUPE Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society Ltd on 9 March 1965; AUPE Sports & Recreation Club on 6 July 1987; AUPE General Services Co-Operative Ltd on 2 April 1998 and the AUPE Foundation Co-Operative Ltd on 3 Jan 2004. The thrust of the 5 entities focuses on providing excellent respective services to our members in the public service.

The proposed colour code of all entries must not exceed the 3 colours presently used in the existing logos, of which one colour must be red.

The size of the logo should be within the square frame of 15 cm x 15 cm - and submitted on A4 paper - portrait orientation.

All submissions are non-returnable;

All entries must be accompanied by a colour copy of the proposed logo in soft and hardcopy for judging purposes and should include your name, address, NRIC no, telephone contact and signature;

AUPE shall be the rightful owner of all entries, including the winning entries;

AUPE acquires copyright for all entries;

AUPE reserves the right to use the whole or part of the winning logo in all of AUPE Group, AUPE and its entities' newsletter, brochures, souvenirs, collaterals, website and for any other purposes; and

The decision of the panel of judges is final and AUPE Group is not obliged to explain or justify its selection.

Support officers in the Civil Service are taking on more meaningful work after their jobs are re-designed. As they get into their new jobs, they begin to see how new skills acquired can help them become more deployable and employable.

Following the success of piloting job re-design in three ministries – Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Home Affairs (Singapore Police Force) – other ministries have, since October 2008, been re-designing support level jobs and preparing their support officers to take on the re-designed jobs.

In preparation for their jobs to be re-designed, all support officers attend a 1-day preparatory workshop called “I am Ready to Move Forward!”, which helps the officers prepare for the change. Support officers also undergo other work related training sessions (either formal classroom training or informal on-the-job training) to help them prepare to take on their re-designed job scope.

As a Human Resource Officer with the Public Service Division, Ms Hadzlina Bte Ramli, provides support to the Resorts Management and Career Transitions units. Her work involves preparing simple drafts and papers, liaising with contractors on resorts matters and collating statistics from other government agencies for career transition policies work.

Job re-design has enhanced Hadzlina’s job scope, giving her more opportunities to write proposals and draft minutes of meeting.

Initially, she did not understand what her supervisors wanted and would frequently seek their help. But she received strong support and encouragement from her bosses, who assured her that they would guide her along the way. Hadzlina’s friends also supported her and thought that the change was good for her.

Within this short span of time, Hadzlina has already seen the positive impact of Job Re-design. Her vocabulary has improved tremendously and she looks forward to learning more along the way.

Mdm Poon Boon Cheng, a School Attendant in Anderson Junior College, re-joined the workforce after 10 years of staying at home to take care of her children.

With job re-design, Mdm Poon’s work scope was expanded to include handling laboratory materials and operating more complex laboratory equipments. She now also manages the school’s computerised room booking system called School-Buzz.

Mdm Poon feels that it is important for officers to be willing to learn on the job. This ensures that they are able to take on new tasks with confidence. With job re-design, Mdm Poon is now able to share her knowledge on laboratory equipment with her daughter who studies at another junior college.

Ms Rosalind Vijayarani Moses joined the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) as a Typist in 1990 and was upgraded to a Corporate Support Officer (CSO) in 2001. She has been working in the Registry Section since 2002.

With job re-design, Rosalind now also supports MinLaw’s Corporate Communications Unit. Her work includes compiling daily newspaper cuttings and handling logistical arrangements for courtesy calls, media briefings and conferences.

At the same time, Rosalind has also taken on administrative duties such as monitoring contracts and managing assets. She also mentors and trains two Office Attendants (OAs), who now assist her in basic registry work, thus allowing more time for Rosalind to perform her enhanced job scope.

Having worked in the Registry Section for seven years, Rosalind is happy to learn new areas of work. She finds her new portfolio interesting, challenging and diverse. She also enjoys meeting more people.

With the understanding and guidance from her supervisors, Rosalind has learnt to multi-task and adapt to her new role. In the process, she had gained more confidence in herself and improved her interaction skills. Rosalind continues to attend courses to pick up skills to enhance her ability to perform the expanded job scope.